Providing safe passage for others

By MIKE PATRICK

Staff Writer

Midge Smock had just gotten off the phone Wednesday with Shasta Groene, the now 20-year-old who suffered a horrific tragedy as a child. Shasta was abducted in May 2005 by the man who murdered four members of her family. Ever since the child’s rescue 12 years ago this Sunday, Midge has been a stable, daily presence in Shasta’s life.

Having just talked to Shasta, who now lives in the Boise area, it was a perfect time for Katie Coker to show up and accept a gift. Midge and Don “Pepper” Smock donated $10,000 to Safe Passage, a local nonprofit that helps people dealing with domestic and sexual violence.

“You do so much at the individual level and at the big picture level,” said Coker, Safe Passage’s executive director for just a few hours more. Starting Saturday, Coker will be writing grants part-time for the organization, which will be led by Chauntelle Lieske.

The Smocks, who own Windermere Coeur d’Alene Realty, aren’t strangers to giving to organizations that help the underprivileged, especially those that help children in need. But they do hold a special distinction.

“They’re our only donors at this level,” Coker said of the $10,000 gift — virtually the same amount the Smocks donated to Safe Passage last year.

For Pepper Smock, who was raised by a single mom, Safe Passage’s mission is essential.

“Domestic violence or abuse is a somewhat hidden problem,” he said. “It’s just below the surface, so many people aren’t confronted with it.

“We just want to help.”

And for Midge Smock, three years as a Court-Appointed Special Advocate for children only galvanized what’s been a life-long mission for her and her husband: They want to improve conditions for kids who suffer because of violence and other forms of abuse.

“There were times I needed a police escort just to go into some of those homes,” she said of her CASA experience. “What Safe Passage does is important work, which we’re happy to support.”