Answering the local call

There is something enduring about donating to a national or even international charity, particularly if it involves devastation from weather-related events, abject poverty or other far-reaching tragedy. To give willingly, knowing you might never see the benefit of your gift or look in the eyes of someone offering their thanks, requires a measure of compassion that’s rare and laudable.

But we’re thinking about the great needs locally, the nonprofits here who employ your neighbors and significantly improve the quality of life in your community. True, you won’t see a child just down the street crying in front of what was her home before a tornado flattened it. Nor will you hear the sirens wailing just before a tsunami engulfs your town.

What you will see and hear are the requests from so many nonprofits who rely on you primarily or exclusively for their existence. In just the past few weeks, Press readers have been asked to help with, among many other opportunities:

• A new nonprofit established to ensure every Kootenai County resident has a turkey for Thanksgiving

• A new cookbook project that will assist Union Gospel Mission

• A golf fundraiser through Coeur d’Alene Public that benefits children

• A fundraiser for Children’s Village

• A fundraiser/celebration with pianist Brian Crain for 3Cs

• A fundraiser through the annual Garden Club tour

• Fundraising $5 million for a possible event center

• Fundraising for a resident with kidney and other disease

• Awareness and fundraising for Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre

We openly admit not just to being provincial when it comes to charity, but imploring you to be that way, too. With few exceptions, the world doesn’t respond when a call for help echoes through Kootenai County. We’re left to fend for ourselves.

Fortunately, we always have. With your help, we always will.

Please watch the pages of your newspaper, and when a local request for assistance meets your philosophical and financial ability to contribute, step forward. A little help goes a long way when it’s local.