Fun, fundraising and friendship
Local nonprofits received a portion of $111,550 in grants distributed by the 3Cs on Friday. Back row, from left: Leslie Orth, Rose Backs, Bill Muck, Dick Gardner, Diana Clemons, Kali Singleton, Sally Winn, Terri Johnston, Sheila Wayman, David Londeree, Peter Godderz, Darrell Rickard and Jessica Gross. Second row, from left: Lisa Martin, Laura Sanborn, Michelle Larson, Grace Wilkowski, Joy Fryman, Kris Neeser, Alice DeShazer, Paula Lyon, Lisa Donaldson, Aly Edwards and Liz Montgomery. Front row, seated, from left: Olivia Backs, Karen Johnson, Vanessa Moos, Holly Johnson and Brana Vlasic.
DEVIN WEEKS/Press
Laura Sanborn with Hospice of North Idaho accepts a grant check from incoming Cancer and Community Charities President Ann Dare on Friday during the annual 3Cs Appreciation Lunch.
Outgoing 3Cs President Rhonda Newton unrolls a wingspan of raffle tickets Friday with assistance from longtime boyfriend Art Dietz during the 3Cs Appreciation Lunch in the Best Western Plus Coeur d'Alene Inn.
COEUR d'ALENE — Members of the 3Cs — Cancer and Community Charities — are always more than happy to give away their money.
On Friday, they celebrated a distribution of $111,550 to support 32 local causes in their mission to improve the lives of countless individuals and families in North Idaho.
"I always say, 'We pay to play,'" incoming 3Cs President Ann Dare said. "In everything we do, we are raising funds to give back to the community. It's wonderful.
"Maybe they don't have thousands of dollars to give, but everybody can feel like they've given to the community, which is important," she said.
Spirits were buoyant as 3Cs members and grant recipients gathered in the Best Western Plus Coeur d'Alene Inn for the benevolent organization's annual Appreciation Lunch. Through their many activity and social groups, 3Cs members spend the year raising money to lift up others in their community.
Paula Lyon, founder of the Coeur Community Closet, said the funds her program received will serve as many as 5,000 students in the Coeur d'Alene School District and surrounding area by providing those in need with new clothing and shoes.
She shared her gratitude for the 3Cs support of the Coeur Community Closet.
"We tell our students we have such a generous community and that this is all done out of love," she said. "We encourage them to take advantage of it and know people love them, care for them and value them. As a recipient, we couldn't be more grateful."
Entertainment was provided by Jonathan Arthur and Bob Marlowe, who serenaded attendees as they enjoyed a meal together.
A changing of the guard also took place, as outgoing President Rhonda Newton gave a heartfelt farewell while welcoming Dare and her cabinet to the 3Cs' next two years of leadership.
"I personally am inspired every day, hearing about the acts of kindness our local charities provide to those in need in our community," Newton said.
She distributed roses to the ladies who served in her cabinet and expressed deep gratitude for the work they, and all 3Cs members, have accomplished in the past two years.
"We certainly know how to put the 'fun' in fundraising," Newton said.
This year's 3Cs grant recipients:
Alzheimer's Association
Bag and Boob Babes
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
North Idaho CASA
Casting for Recovery
Children's Village
Coeur Community Closet
Community Action Partnership Coeur d'Alene Food Bank
Community United Methodist Church
Family Promise of North Idaho
Harmony Ranch
Hayden Senior Center
Hospice of North Idaho
Idaho Drug Free Youth
Imagination Initiative
Kootenai Health Foundation Cancer Patient Support and Walden House
Lake City Bicycle Collective
Lake City Center Meals on Wheels
National Alliance on Mental Illness Coeur d'Alene
Northwest infant Survival and SIDS Alliance
On Site for Seniors
Orchard Ridge Senior Living
Post Falls Food Bank
Post Falls Senior Center
Press Christmas for All
Rathdrum Community Center
Relatives as Parents
Safe Passage
Safety Net
Tesh, Inc.
Trinity Group Homes
