Rathdrum's top person: A man for good causes
Courtesy photo Lake City Church Pastor Jared Cooksey, far left, was named Rathdrum’s Person of the Year. Also pictured from the left during an outing to split firewood for a family in need are: Jason Tesky, Jace Cooksey, Javan Tesky, Joey Wright, Trevin Murillio, MeKhi Murillo (front) and Rob Murillo.
Rathdrum Trading Post Hardware was named Business of the Year during the Rathdrum Chamber of Commerce’s Awards Dinner. From left: Steve Bybee, Taylor Sowers, Jesse Putman, Jarrod Blackman, Ali Taylor, Dave Ross and General Manager Matt Smith. Not pictured are: Parker Jiracek, Steve Jiracek, Jen Fleischer, Steve Jolin, Steve Walker and Kris Kieffer. (Courtesy photo)
By BRIAN WALKER
Staff Writer
RATHDRUM — Jared Cooksey has been Santa, a leprechaun and even leader of the toilet paper toss.
Add Rathdrum's Person of the Year to that list.
Cooksey, Lake City Church's Rathdrum campus pastor, received the honor during the Rathdrum Area Chamber of Commerce's Awards Dinner and Silent Auction at the Coeur d'Alene Shrine Club on Saturday.
"It shows that what we've been doing to meet needs in our community for the past three years is working," Cooksey said. "There is a team of people around me who have full-time jobs and are giving of themselves to serve the community. The Citizen of the Year Award goes out to all of them.
"I organize the activities and we all do them together."
Lake City Church expanded into Rathdrum three years ago and meets on Sundays at Lakeland High School.
The church has been involved in school activities ranging from clothing drives to holiday bazaars, Rathdrum Days, splitting firewood for those in need, and other efforts in the community. Cooksey said he's willing to play whatever role is necessary at events — if it meets a need.
"It's humbling living in this community, and we want to be a part of it," Cooksey said. "When we find out there's a need, we try to meet it any way we can.
"We tend to be so busy these days that we forget to stop and be relational with people. If we slow down and look around, it's not difficult to find needs in our community."
Cooksey said he knows what it's like to be on the receiving end. When he and his wife, Gina, needed support two years ago due to a medical condition of their son, the community wrapped its arms around the family.
"That's a testimony of people slowing down," he said. "They helped us in the same way we're trying to help them."
Also Saturday, Rathdrum Trading Post Hardware was named Business of the Year.
The store opened in January 2013 and has been in its current location on Highway 53 since August 2016.
"Rathdrum is in our name and in our blood," general manager Matt Smith said. "We love where we work and live. The community has supported us tremendously over the years. We wouldn't be here without its support."
The company, with 13 full-time employees, is involved with school and city programs and supports veterans organizations. Smith has served as the Chamber of Commerce's board president the past three years.
"There's never a shortage of what's needed in the community, so we try to do what we can," Smith said.
Every year the store gives out a $5 "golden ticket" to elementary students in the school district to spend the voucher however they want.
"It's to give those kids the ability to have the spirit of giving," Smith said.
Smith said he was "as surprised as anybody" when the company's name was announced for the award.
"We're not shooting to be recognized by our peers, but when it happens it's a nice feeling," he said.
The chamber of commerce's Ambassador group was also recognized for its volunteer efforts of welcoming new businesses into the community and creating awareness of the nonprofit's benefits, activities and programs.