Bringing Hope to North Idaho

Some 20,000 Kootenai County residents live below poverty level. They don't see doctors or dentists, for fear of the expense. They know the discouragement of having to scrimp for groceries and shoes, let alone something extra like a haircut.

This fall, a partnership of local health care providers, schools, churches, nonprofit organizations, government agencies and businesses are working to replace that fear and discouragement with hope.

The Day of Hope scheduled for Sept. 6, at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds, will provide guests with everything from free groceries, shoes, haircuts and family portraits, to health screenings and job counseling. It's also a day to be stress-free, as the event will offer opportunities for fun and entertainment for kids and adults.

As many as 4,000 guests are expected to be served, and hundreds of volunteers are needed.

"No one group could do this alone," said Rodney Wright, a member of the leadership team. "Here's a chance to consider what we can do if we all work together."

Giant tents will go up where services will be provided, and a large KidsZone play area with bounce houses and fun activities will provide a fun carnival atmosphere. A center stage will feature local musicians and entertainers throughout the day, and lunch will be provided.

"The Day of Hope is an opportunity to connect the community," said Deb Ayers, co-coordinator for the event. "We have invited Convoy of Hope, an international relief organization to partner with our community in this event."

The Springfield, Mo.-based Convoy of Hope is a faith-based organization which provides disaster relief and feeding programs around the world. Convoy of Hope is participating in 40 events similar to the North Idaho Day of Hope nationwide this year. Convoy will be bringing a large semi-truck and trailer with about 35,000 pounds of food that will be distributed to guests during the event.

Coeur d'Alene Mayor Steve Widmyer visited a Day of Hope event in Concord, Calif., earlier this year. Giving his full support to the local Day of Hope, he still remembers the bright smile on the face of a 10-year-old girl who was able to get her hair styled for the first time.

More than 40 local people have been working for more than a year as part of the leadership team to develop the North Idaho Day of Hope. Convoy's vice president for global initiatives, Michael Redmon, was in Coeur d'Alene recently to advise and encourage the leadership volunteers working on the event.

"The Day of Hope is really a platform for community transformation," Redmon said. "It brings all of the needed resources together... that's where transformation takes place."

Local doctors, dentists, nurses, hairstylists, photographers and many others are volunteering to provide their professional services to guests who come to the event. The National Breast Cancer Foundation will provide free mammograms to women, and health and dental screenings will be available. If there are follow-up needs, those guests will be referred to a medical home where they can get the additional care they need.

"The idea is to get people in the community to know there really are places to get help... to get some hope instilled in their lives," said Judith Scarborough, who heads up the Medical Reserve Corp. for the Panhandle Health District. "They need to know people care."

Dr. Joe Abate, chief medical officer at Heritage Health, agreed.

"In addition, we need to redefine what constitutes good health and a healthy life for people," Abate said. "It's medical, it's financial, it's spiritual... if we don't address all those things, we're not really helping a person. Services that address all three of these areas will be available at the Day of Hope."

"Transportation can sometimes be challenging for the people we plan to serve," said James Curb, who coordinates the CDA4Kids program for the Coeur d'Alene School District.

School buses from the Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls and Lakeland school districts will operate routes to and from the fairgrounds for the event, focusing on service to "neighborhoods of need," said Curb.

"Volunteers and financial support are still needed," said Deb Ayers. "The budget for the event is approximately $55,000. We still need to raise about $10,000, and we need about 800 volunteers."

Local community groups and churches can get their members involved in various ways. To get involved, contact Deb Ayers or Kathi Abate at (208) 676-0632, or go to www.convoyofhope.org/outreach/northidaho/ for more information. You can also find North Idaho Day of Hope on Facebook.