A heart for the Barnharts

HAYDEN - Kira Reed remembers Sean Barnhart as a "super sweet-hearted dad" and described how tender he was at the ugly Christmas sweater party right before his death.

She recalled the 35-year-old father with his young son, who had just taken a tumble and needed comforting.

"It was so sweet, he was holding his son," she said. "I will forever remember his son sitting on his lap."

Reed, of Coeur d'Alene, knows the Barnhart family through the Dome Sports Facility where she manages the U12 Academy girls soccer team. Barnhart's daughter, Brianna, 11, has played on her team since June.

"Their daughter is one of the most charismatic, smiley, energetic, amazing kids," Reed said Wednesday. "The stuff that comes out of that girl's mouth always makes me laugh."

Reed and her colleagues are hosting the Barnhart Family Fundraiser at the end of January to generate support and funds for the young family members who lost their dad and husband Dec. 12. His death was unexpected, leaving behind his wife, Tiffany, their daughter, Brianna, and son, Tyson, 9. Sean and Tiffany had been married 15 years.

"We just want to be able to give them some support," said Tricia Ferreira, co-owner of the Dome. "They're struggling, but I think anyone would be in this type of situation. Especially during the holidays ... It just breaks my heart. I can't imagine."

Sean, a longtime North Idaho resident, was a contractor and owned his own company. Reed said she knows Tiffany and the family will face financial burdens in the future because of the loss of a household income.

"Supporting two kids is a lot for anybody," she said. "I just want her to not have to worry about bills because they already have a lot on their plate."

Reed said in the time she has known the family, she has seen Sean be an amazing, supportive, sports dad and she called Tiffany "just the sweetest."

"If you met Tiffany, you'd fall in love with her immediately," she said. "It's just very devastating, because Sean was a fantastic father."

The Barnhart Family Fundraiser will include dinner, a silent auction and a dessert auction. Ferreira said some local restaurants have already donated food, but auction items are still needed. She said the goal is to raise as much money and support as possible to help the family through this difficult time. All of the proceeds will go directly to the Barnharts, and Tiffany is in the process of setting up an educational fund for the kids.

"As a community, I've always thought we've been so good about supporting each other," Reed said. "We want this to truly be the community coming around the family and supporting them so Tiffany has one less thing on her shoulders."

The fundraiser will be from 5-8 p.m. Jan. 31 at the Dome Sports Facility, located at 167 W. Miles Ave. in Hayden. Tickets are $10 for kids 11 and younger, $15 for 12 and older and can be purchased by mailing a check or stopping by the Dome Sports Facility. Checks should be made payable to Tiffany Barnhart.

To donate or learn more, contact Ferreira at 691-0943 or email midwaycda@gmail.com.