Community Thanks April 3, 2016

FUNDRAISER: Wine, Stein and Dine a success

The Post Falls Education Foundation would like to thank the dozens of businesses and those who helped make the 20th Anniversary Wine, Stein and Dine fundraiser for classroom projects such a success this year.

Proceeds will go toward grant requests submitted by teachers of all grade levels throughout the Post Falls School District.

During the past 20 years, the foundation has raised more than $550,000 for the Post Falls classrooms.

Thank you our major benefactor sponsor Columbia Bank, grand sponsor Mountain West Bank, wine tree sponsor Washington Trust Bank, followed by sponsorships from Idaho Forest Group, Avista, Knudtsen Chevrolet, Potlatch No. 1 Federal Credit Union, Sentry Dynamics, STCU, the Schneidmiller family, Architects West, Century 21 Beutler & Associates, Post Falls Lions Club and Kiwanis Club, physician Warren Keene, Coeur d’Alene Press, and the Greyhound Park and Event Center. Participating restaurants included Fedora, Purple Onion Catering, Timber Gastro Pub, Drummin Up BBQ, Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort & Hotel, Stacies’ Cakes, Ekness Catering, Big Bear Deli, Uva Trattoria, Nate’s New York Pizza, The White House Grill, along with the Post Falls School District Food Nutrition Program.

Centennial Distributing, Odom Corporation, Summit Cider Co., Hayden Beverage, North Idaho Cider, Whiskey Barrel Cider Co. and Vehr’s Inc. provided more than 150 different varieties of wines, microbrews and hard ciders. More than 100 business and individual donors contributed to the silent auction, and a crew of dozens of volunteers who return each year helped add to the event’s success.

VAL WILCOX

Post Falls Education Foundation

DENTAL PARTY: Thanks to donors, volunteers

A joyful smile has the power to impact lives without saying a word. At this year’s Teen Dental and Wellness Party, our community came together to brighten the smiles of local teens by providing no cost dental screenings, fluoride varnish and sealants and more.

On behalf of Panhandle Health District, I would like to thank all those who volunteered and donated to make this possible. Special thanks to Dr. Justin Rader from Generations Dental, Dr. Cheri Bloom, Dr. Daniel Cullum, Hayden Family Dental Care, Brumbach Family Dentistry, Precision Dental of Post Falls, Schofield Dental, Woodland Dental and Willamette Dental Group for providing services, supplies and vouchers for follow-up care.

Thank you to Baskin Robbins, Caruso’s, Domino’s Pizza, Great Harvest Bread, Hayden Discount Theater, Jimmy Johns, Kroc Center, McKenzie River Pizza, Noodle Express, Old European Restaurant, Pizza Hut, Qdoba, Sunset Bowling, Texas Road House, Top This and Skate Plaza for donating door prizes for all the kids.

This year, we expanded the services to include vision services from the North Idaho Eye Institute, educational activities and demonstrations for participating teens. Big thank you to all of the volunteers from CDA 4Kids, Eat Smart Idaho, Family Promise of North Idaho, Heritage Health, Idaho Central Credit Union, Kootenai County Substance Abuse Council, Panhandle Health District, Post Falls Police Department, Safe Passage, Spirit Lake Police Department, Lakes Middle School and United Way.

All of the staff, teachers and volunteers welcomed kids into Lakes Middle School with enthusiasm. They stayed late into the evening to engage with as many teens as possible. Seeing all the smiles reminded me that there are so many beautiful reasons to be happy and healthy in our gracious community.

I’m grateful for another successful Teen Dental and Wellness Party and community members that care about our youth’s health. Thank you!

LINDA HARDER

Oral Health Program Coordinator

Panhandle Health District

FAIR: Thank you Reverse Job participants

The Board of Directors would like to thank all those who participated in the Post Falls Chamber 10th annual Reverse Job Fair. This program brings business and education together in a unique setting, offering interaction between local professionals and high school seniors getting ready to enter the workforce or continuing their education.

The following organizations donated over $10,000 in scholarships, prizes and supplies. North Idaho College Foundation, LCSC, Post Falls School District, North Idaho Higher Education, Kootenai Health, Post Falls Rotary, Idaho Forest Group, ICCU, Mallaurcott Design, STCU, Realteam Real Estate Center, Local 2856, Express Employment Professionals, Century Publishing, Spokane Packaging, Office Depot, AGC AeroComposites, Mountain West Bank and Post Falls Chamber RCLA classes.

Thank you to our leadership team, Chamber CEO: Pam Houser, Reverse Job Fair Committee Chair: Anne Hagman, Interviewer Leader: Stacey Hanlon, Registration Leader: Vi Risdon, Orientation Leader: DeAnn Johnson, and Judges Leader: Jessica Bauman. Thank you to Real Life Ministries for the use of their facility and to Pita Pit for providing lunch to over 150 volunteer interviewers.

Tami Martinez

Post Falls Chamber of Commerce

2016 Board Chair