Community Thanks July 3, 2011

BABY: Support from everywhere

When our son was born two months early, we were thrown into a world we wished we never knew existed - sick babies, scary days and sleepless nights suddenly became our reality. In the midst of trying to spend as much time in the NICU as we could with our littlest guy, we still had the normal busyness that life with four small kids and a job bring with them. To say we were overwhelmed is an understatement. We could never have made it through without all the help given to us by our small community.

Thank you so much to the families and staff of Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy, Lutheran Academy of the Master, and Coeur d'Alene Dental Center. Our needs were met before we even knew we had them... from gas cards, to meals delivered to our doorstep, to the many kind thoughts and words sent our way. We can't thank you enough for all of the kindness shown to our family. We will never forget it.

TAYLOR RIGG

Post Falls

WINTON: A community effort

The Coeur d'Alene Community deserves heartfelt thanks from the children, parents and staff at Winton Elementary School. During the difficult economic conditions of the last two years, this community has supported the children of our school from the top of their heads to their toes.

Thank you to: Panhandle Kiwanis, Canfield Middle School and Tori Shelton for the hats to cover their heads; the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, Coeur d'Alene PEO Chapter AG, VFW Post 889 and the Ladies Auxiliary, Panhandle Kiwanis, The Kroc Center, The Happy Women's Club, Costco and Kathy Kaufman for all of the school supplies; Pete Townsend for the boxes of copy paper; Ellie McNeely and Kathy Kaufman for the brand new underwear; Panhandle Kiwanis for the gloves; Coeur d'Alene Police Department for sending us Capt. Childers and Lt. McLeod to devote an hour of their free time each week to mentor students; the A, B, C, D street neighbors and all parents for donating Box Tops for Education; The Kroc Center and J.C. Penney, Hayden Meadows Elementary, Hagadone Hospitality, Holidays and Heroes and First Presbyterian Church for the holiday magic they brought to underprivileged children; the Heart Readers who spend hours listening to children read; the Grandparents Booster Club - their contributions help buy books for the reading volunteers; the Wolfpack dads who take the time to make their respectful presence known to the children on our playground; the parent volunteers who spend countless hours helping with various activities and projects; Dorian's Studio for the picture donations; Parker Toyota and Horace Mann for reinforcing the importance of being at school with the Perfect Attendance program and the importance of meeting reading goals by providing first-graders with puppies (stuffed animals); Starbucks for being our partner in education with employee volunteers and literature grants; JAMMs for the coupons to support the Principal's Power Ball program; Office Max for office supplies; McDonald's for McTeacher's Night; A+ for Applebee's breakfast and the reward coupons; Borders for the books through the "Donors Choose" program; Exxon for the annual grant; Kootenai Electric Trust for the Round Up grant that supported the Wolfpack dad's program; Kohl's for employee volunteer hours and book donations; Skate Plaza for the free skate night; skate passes and monetary donation; Coeur d'Alene businesses for the donations to our Luau; CDA Fit for the donation from the fun run; Payless Shoe Stores and Windemere Realty for the Boots and Socks Program.

The Coeur d'Alene community has generously supported the children, families and staff at Winton Elementary. We are able to be successful because this community values education. We have not listed all of the people or agencies who have voluntarily contributed to the needs of our children. Some donors would like to remain anonymous. If we have forgotten anyone or any business, please forgive us.

From head to toe, every bit of giving has made a difference in the lives of children in our community. Thank you from the middle - our hearts - for all that you do for the children at Winton Elementary School.

KRISTIN GORRINGE, principal

RONNIE SEMKO, counselor

SHELLI QUANT, secretary

McISSAC: Your work is admired

I would like to sincerely thank Dory McIssac of Mystic Farm Wildlife Rescue, Sagle, for all the great work she is doing this year. Dory rescues abandoned and injured deer, moose, elk and pronghorn, rehabilitates them then releases them. She relies solely on donations. I was talking with her one day and she was trying to get out of the house to pick up two fawns, each at a different location as well as a yearling deer up near the Canadian border then needed to rush back home because the fawns she already had, need to be fed every two hours.

I admire Dory for her dedication and ability to take these animals in to try to help them. Some don't make it because they are injured. She has, recently had two different fawns that were attacked by "pet" dogs.

People, please, watch your animals. These are babies that are left to hide in the grass while their mom grazes. They are helpless. Let's protect our wildlife so we can all enjoy it. Big huge thanks to Dory McIssac, Mystic Farm Wildlife Rescue, Sagle.

CAROL FOLDA

Coeur d'Alene

PARKS & REC: Kudos for support

The Post Falls Parks and Recreation Department would like to extend a special thanks and appreciation for the dedicated businesses that sponsored the youth summer basketball and baseball programs provided by our department to the Post Falls community and the surrounding areas.

We would like to thank the following sponsors: Blue Dog RV, Hagadone Directories, Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, Peach Orthodontics, Heikkila Allstate Insurance, Center Partners, FKM Excavating, The Insurance Shoppe, Kootenai Animal Hospital, Mountain View Motors Sales and Service, Optima Dental, Post Falls Dairy Queen, Post Falls Taco Bell, Reality Design LLC, Rosa's Italian Market & Deli, Silver Safari, Wild Rose Salon & Spa, Allstate, The Hodgson Agency, Big Mountain Accounting & Taxes, Brumbach Family Dentistry, Century Publishing Company, Coeur d'Alene Pediatrics, Timothy LaBrosse DDS, Legends Sports Photography, Potlatch Number 1 Federal Credit Union and River City Daycare.

Again, thank you for your continued support of the Post Falls Parks and Recreation Department's youth sports program.

JILL McDOWELL

Recreation Coordinator

Post Falls Parks & Recreation Department