Community Thanks November 23, 2014

FIRE DISTRICT: Generous support for volunteers, staff

On behalf of the Board of Commissioners, the East Side Fire District would like to thank the following for their generous support of our 20th Anniversary celebration honoring the service and dedication of our volunteers and staff: The Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort-Hotel, Gonzaga University Men's Basketball, Zi Spa Coeur d'Alene, Fins and Feathers, Coeur d'Alene Cellars Winery, Spokane Chiefs Hockey, Seattle Mariners, Seattle Seahawks and Camp N-Sid-Sen. Director Mark Boyd and staff provided a beautiful facility and wonderful food for the occasion.

Fred Fricke, commissioner

East Side Fire District

Harrison

TRANSPLANTS: Thanks North Idahoans from great welcome

We moved to Post Falls this last summer from Northern California, and NO we did not bring a liberal attitude with us. Politics is one reason we left, that and to be closer to our daughter. We would like to thank all the friendly people we have met up here for making us feel so welcome and at home, with one person in particular, our realtor. We met and chose Diane Kamphaus of Keller Williams about a year before we moved. I have bought seven homes in my lifetime and I must say she made this buy the best experience ever. Not only was she friendly and understanding of our wants and needs in a home but she went far beyond what I would say a good realtor's duties are. We moved our things into storage while we looked for our home. She showed up at the storage facility with her personnel hand truck and helped us move our things into storage. On top of that she showed up with her son and his friend to help us move our things into our new home. She loaned us her lawnmower full of gas to use until we could buy one, she also loaned us her trailer to use as long as we needed it. This lady is the most generous person I have met and I am so glad we chose her as our realtor and friend. I would recommend her to anyone needing a GOOD REALTOR. Thank You Diane!

Shirley Plumlee

Post Falls

SET OF TIRES: Realtors shell out for family in need

Two Real Estate agents at the Keller Williams Realty office in Coeur d'Alene bought a brand-new set of tires for a family in need. The tires were purchased and installed at Tire Rama in Post Falls on Thursday Nov. 13. These two agents did not do this because it is Thanksgiving, not because Christmas is near, and not as a birthday gift. They did it only because they saw the need. I want our community to know this so that the generosity of these two men did not go unnoticed. Thank you to Jamie Jenicek and John Partridge at Keller Williams Realty!

Karen Harker

Post Falls

PROM: Wassons support Special Needs Recreation event

An extra large shout out and thank you needs to go to Steve Wasson and family, owners of Touchdown Tuxedo in Post Falls. Most people don't know it, but Steve and his family have provided tuxedos and formal dress rentals at a greatly reduced rate to handicapped boys and girls in our community who attend the Specialized Needs Recreation prom every November. Steve personally measures and fits each tux and dress with care and a wonderful sense of humor! Without their generosity, many prom goers would not be able to attend this special night. So the next time you are in need of a tuxedo or formal dress, go see the Wasson family at Touchdown Tuxedo in Post Falls, a locally owned establishment and merchant that donates back to the community! Thanks again Steve and family! The prom was a great success!

Mike Rudd

Post Falls

HOOPS: Thanks to supporters of Basketball Extravaganza

A big thank you to all who helped put on this year's Special Needs Basketball Extravaganza, which was held at North Idaho College this past month. Special thanks to NIC and Real Life Ministries for partnering up for this tremendous community event. The goal was to give our special needs players the look and feel of a big-time game environment, making it a memorable night for everyone who attended.

Gary Day, of MJ Audio, provided the laser lights and fog for introductions along with announcing the game. Gary has been with the program since day one. Gary knows these kids personally and the players feed off his energy and enthusiasm for them. Much appreciated.

Tim Sanford, Lake City High School's instrumental music instructor, again brought his pep band and his world famous "stomp band." Both were a huge hit with players and fans. Thank you for being loyal each and every year!

For Dave Groth, from the Sorensen Magnet School, it was an absolute delight to have your jugglers with us each year as well. Your entry-level group that performed at halftime of the first game stole the show. You folks are a perfect fit for what we do.

The North Idaho College cheerleaders, who not only opened the concession stand, but also provided a cheer squad for our kids: Thanks for cheering on our players.

Aaron Drake and Brandon Haas for officiating our game - thanks for NOT calling traveling this year Aaron.

Our NIC men's basketball players for helping our little ones "dunk" and for assisting in joining our players in the cha cha slide! Your athletic dance rhythm did not go unnoticed.

Our NIC women's basketball players who help coach our teams and to all of our other volunteers as well.

Big shout out to our Team Mom, Barb Forgacs, who makes countless phone calls to our special needs families providing them with details of all of the events and countless other tasks.

Finally, we want to reach out and thank the families of our special needs players. The job you have done to raise these kids has inspired us all and it is a privilege to work with your children.

Hope to see you ALL next year at this event.

Cal DeHaas

Special Needs Basketball Extravaganza coordinator