20 years of service

COEUR d'ALENE - Mary Lou Reed was given a piece of original artwork Thursday in recognition of 20 years of service on the board of the Friends of Head Start.

The former state senator recently retired from the board. Reed grinned as the framed painting of colorful flowers was turned around to reveal the artists' signatures on the back - a collection of colorful fingerprints and hand prints. They were placed there by 3- and 4-year-old Head Start students who worked with local artist Chuck Hauck to create the painting.

"I can't think of anything more appropriate," Reed said. "You know, on the board we never see enough children... so it's very touching to be reminded that this is what it's all about."

About 50 people gathered for the presentation at the Harding Center in Coeur d'Alene, a Head Start center and the central office for the North Idaho College Head Start program. The crowd included many current and former members of the Friends of Head Start's board.

Several people spoke during the presentation, including Ken Howard, chair of NIC's board of trustees. The college provides oversight and acts as the fiscal agent for the early childhood school-readiness program.

"This is a great part of your work," Howard said, acknowledging the broad range of service Reed has provided through the years. "Without Friends of Head Start, the Head Start program would not be what it is today."

Doug Fagerness, former longtime director of the local Head Start program, said the Friends of Head Start board was instrumental in the development of facilities that serve hundreds of children. There are eight centers throughout the state's five northern counties.

"We're in facilities now that I think are worthy of our children, and I'm so grateful to Friends for having done that," Fagerness said.

Beth Ann Fuller, the current director of Head Start, thanked Reed for her "amazing legacy."

"It has been an inspiration and an honor to work with you, not only through your role here with Friends of Head Start, but to see what your untiring advocacy has done in bridging the gap in the quality (of services) for children in our community," Fuller said.

Reed thanked the group for their thoughts and words, and said they all share the story of Head Start, and the "climb" to develop the program. Reed said she became involved with Head Start years ago, when she was serving in the Idaho Senate. Maggie Tallman, the first director of Head Start in the region, contacted Reed seeking help in finding money for the program.

"She wanted to see if we could get state funding to bring to Head Start," Reed said. "That has been an effort that has gone on and on, and it absolutely flopped in Idaho, which is too bad... I think we are the only Friends of Head Start existing in Idaho, so I applaud all of you that are involved."

Through the years, the money raised by Friends of Head Start has helped keep the program afloat and accessible to hundreds of children, despite fluctuations in federal funding.

The dollars collected by Reed and others have helped North Idaho families with young children, and often limited means, provide a solid foundation for learning in school. The group has helped families pay their electric bills, provided gas money and more.