United Way's impact? Go ask ALICE
LOREN BENOIT/Press File Hecla Mining administration assistant Dawn Nolan, right, places logs into a wheelbarrow as fellow co-workers Cathy Schaefer, left, Kimberly Millikan and Jason Heidt volunteer their time to United Way by splitting logs during last year’s Day of Caring for Elder Help.
LOREN BENOIT/PressJohn Bruning, of St. Vincent de Paul, speaks at United Way's 2017 Award Luncheon. Bruning was honored as this year's Volunteer of the Year.
LOREN BENOIT/PressNIC President Richard MacLennan shares a laugh with Katie Coker of Safe Passage. Coker was recognized as Nonprofit Professional of the Year at this year's United Way 2017 Awards Luncheon on Wednesday.
By DEVIN HEILMAN
Staff Writer
Eve Knudtsen's first memories of working with United Way go back to the mid 1980s.
She was out of college and her dad — the late Wayne Knudtsen, a longtime United Way supporter — was once again chairman of the nonprofit's annual fundraising campaign.
"I remember them bringing stacks and stacks of letters and he had to sign them," Eve recalled. "That's when I met (former United Way executive director) Lucinda Ade."
United Way of North Idaho, formerly United Way of Kootenai County and originally United Crusade of Coeur d'Alene, has been connecting people for the greater good since 1957. It has blossomed from an endeavor to streamline the needs of local charities and causes into an expansive network that supports three main areas: education, income/basic needs, and health.
One of United Way's many projects is ALICE, which refers to the Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed population in the community. ALICE represents those who live paycheck-to-paycheck, who can barely afford child care, transportation and the cost of living but don't qualify for assistance.
"Almost half of our population cannot make ends meet," said First Presbyterian Church pastor Craig Sumey, who serves on the UWNI board of directors and works closely with the ALICE community. "That is extraordinary, but it causes everyone in the community to rise up and come together and be a part of finding solutions. Some exciting solutions are happening even now through United Way and an ALICE task force."
Sumey and many more United Way leaders and supporters gathered Wednesday in the Hagadone Event Center for the 2017 Awards Luncheon, where the United Way spirit was tangible.
The need for the collaboration United Way generates was also quite evident. Guests had different passions, whether it was homelessness, domestic violence, improving education or something else, but those differences were celebrated as they interacted and congratulated each other on their successes and discussed how to make even bigger impacts in the future.
"You can see how great the need is in our community, and it's ongoing," said Marie Price, UWNI board member and director of North Idaho College's Workforce Training Center and Community Education. "Our community is growing, our population is growing and so are the services. It's an ongoing need."
UWNI works with agencies and businesses across the community to connect those in need with those who want to help. Knudtsen, president of Knudtsen Chevrolet Co., is a big fan of employee-giving programs that give employees the option to donate a couple dollars a paycheck to UWNI's Community Care Fund.
"It's the greatest thing known to man as far as I'm concerned when it comes to fundraising," she said. "For the cost of a latte every two weeks, you can make a big difference in somebody's life through United Way."
The Community Care Fund started with just a few thousand dollars. It's now a robust $175,000 annual fund that helps charitable organizations with projects and programs that support the overall health of the community.
UWNI reports that from 2014-2016, Community Care Fund helped rescue 1.9 million pounds of food from grocery stores and deliver it to food banks; provide legal representation to 130 low-income victims of domestic violence; send 320 special needs youngsters to summer camp; provide art classes to 25 homeless children while in transitional housing; and give 32 parents the confidence they need through parenting support groups, just to name a few.
"United Way has been a force for positive change here for many years," said Hagadone Hospitality president and co-owner Jerry Jaeger, a former UWNI campaign leader and longtime supporter. "It has been a success because of the great people of our area that have worked very hard with a passion to help others."
SIDEBAR:
United Way of North Idaho is celebrating 60 years in our community. The Ride for ALICE will take participants on a scenic ride through North Idaho on Aug. 5. It’s a morning motorcycle ride that includes coffee and lunch. Cost is $20 and proceeds will help low-income families with child care. Info: 667-8112 or www.unitedwayofnorthidaho.org/ride.
The 2017 United Way Day of Caring is Sept. 17. More than 300 business leaders and community members will give back to the community through service projects to help local nonprofits. Last year, Day of Caring saved nonprofits more than $30,000 in labor. Info: 667-8112.