Participating for a purpose
<p>From left, Coeur d'Alene's Holden Manning, 9, dog Willie, Ken Lindsey, Ami Manning and Indiana Manning, 2, make their way along Coeur d'Alene Lake Drive on Saturday during the fundraiser for St. Vincent de Paul's veterans programs.</p>
<p>Don Waddell of Coeur d'Alene, an Army veteran, participates in a benefit for St. Vincent de Paul's veterans programs on Saturday on Coeur d'Alene Lake Drive.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE - Lisa Benscheidt counts her blessings these days.
"In these economic times, so many of us are inches away from being homeless," the Hayden Lake woman said.
That's why Benscheidt and her husband Carl, both Navy veterans, believed it was essential to participate in Saturday's Run a Mile in Their Shoes fundraiser run/walk along Coeur d'Alene Lake Drive to benefit St. Vincent de Paul's homeless veterans programs.
About 200 participants didn't let the season's first snowfall and breezy conditions deter them from helping out.
"Anything for the vets, "Lisa said. "And what a great day for exercise."
Carl said it's good for the community to come together for a great cause.
"It helps remember what's important," he said.
Organizer Barb Smalley said the turnout for the event's first year was "wonderful." The fundraiser raised an estimated $4,000, including sponsorships, entry fees and food donations.
"It's not all about making money," she said. "It's about letting people know what's going on and the services of St. Vincent de Paul. We're fortunate because we have a warm home to go to afterward."
Coeur d'Alene 14-year-old Caleb Weeks said he normally doesn't prefer to run on cold days, but the fundraiser was an exception.
"I wanted to help the homeless and those in need," he said. "It's a great cause. It's sad to see homeless living on the street."
St. Vincent Executive Director Jeff Conroy, who participated in the event, said there were an estimated 559 homeless people in Coeur d'Alene last January when a "point in time" study was done. He said veterans make up rougly 15 percent of the total local homeless population, so it's estimated that there were more than 50 homeless vets at that time.
"We need to support our veterans," said Conroy, adding that veterans often come back to no jobs, broken families and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Proceeds from the fundraiser will go toward the North Idaho Veterans Stand Down in January.
The event, which included a pancake breakfast at O'Shay's Pub, was actually a 5-kilometer event.
Coeur d'Alene's Nick Buley was the first male finisher, while Coeur d'Alene's Mindy Newby led the women.