Kindness wins the day

Several North Idaho individuals and organizations will be honored for their good work during the virtual Idaho Philanthropy Day award presentations Monday.

Kristin Ludwig, director of development for North Idaho CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), has been selected as an Outstanding Adult Philanthropist — Brightest Star. She was nominated by her friend, Amy Evans, whom she joined in planning the Idaho Youth Ranch's inaugural Wine, Women and Shoes fundraiser eight years ago.

"The event, along with our friendship, has grown over the years," Ludwig said.

Her volunteer role as event chair led to other opportunities throughout the community, "and ultimately landed me my dream job with another nonprofit in town," Ludwig said.

"Coeur d’Alene is full of amazing, generous people and businesses that truly care about our youth and providing them with a positive future," she said. "I feel lucky to be recognized as one of the people giving back."

CDAIDE, a nonprofit that supports hospitality and restaurant workers, was chosen as an Outstanding Nonprofit.

“We feel really lucky, let me tell you,” communications chair Bev Moss said Tuesday. "This is really a tribute to our volunteers."

Moss said without paid staff or an executive director, CDAIDE volunteers "stepped up like crazy" as the coronavirus pandemic closed restaurants and business this spring.

"It was really our community that stepped up, realizing that these were going to be the people to help directly," she said. "It's such an honor to be such a small nonprofit and to get this."

Idaho Philanthropy Day winners were chosen by a judges committee that studied each nomination and decided which ones best encompass the spirit of philanthropy, including time, talent, treasure and community involvement.

Although winners for each category have been published, the three regional Gov. Cecil D. Andrus Volunteer of the Year awards will be announced live at each celebration. This will be a surprise to the winners and their communities.

Kootenai County honorees:

•Outstanding Philanthropic Company/Foundation — Cenex ZipTrip Coeur d'Alene; Super 1 Foods

•Outstanding Nonprofit — CDAIDE

•Outstanding Adult Philanthropist — John Huckabay, Coeur d'Alene

•Outstanding Adult Volunteer — Brightest Star — Kristin Ludwig, Coeur d'Alene; Mary Robinette, Hayden

•Outstanding Youth Philanthropist — Julianna Cooper, Hayden; Jack Pierce, Coeur d'Alene

•Outstanding Philanthropic Media/Marketing Company​ — Fixed Focus Media, Coeur d'Alene

Each regional award ceremony will be broadcasted online live via the Idaho Nonprofit Center Facebook and YouTube pages. North Idaho's will be Nov. 9 from 11 a.m. to noon. Access is free but donations are encouraged.

Registration and info:bit.ly/35ZCmvv