Keeping in touch year round
When the lights went out at Children’s Village during a storm, and the dark got scary for the youngsters, who came to the rescue? The 3Cs.
Children’s Village, a residential care facility for children in Coeur d’Alene, didn’t have a backup generator and the lights went out. According to Rosa Mettler, the COO of Children’s Village, the children were very scared. So, they made sure Coleman lanterns were on their “wish list.” The next time the lights went out (and it did just recently) they were prepared thanks to 3Cs members and the Funables activity group’s donations. Through the new KiT program of 3Cs.
The 3Cs (Cancer & Community Charities), an organization of volunteers committed to welcoming newcomers, having fun and raising funds to support local charities, to date has given away approximately $2.3 million to Kootenai County charities since the organization was started in 1962. Grants totaling $103,000 were distributed this past August, and with KiT’s “small gifts,” the spirit of giving continues year-round.
KiT is a new program of the 3Cs. It means Keeping in Touch with our charities.
A KiT team member asks the featured charity speaker of that month for a “wish list” and our membership and one of our fun activity groups to help donate, if they so choose. This is a volunteer program. But our membership is so very generous.
In September 3Cs helped out Diana Clemons, program director of Harmony Ranch, a Therapeutic Riding Center. She needed hoses, brooms, shovels and pitchforks because working with teens and kids with disabilities is wonderful but not always kind to the equipment. She was so grateful to see the ‘pile of loot’ that the 3Cs ladies collected for my organization. In fact there was so much, she had to go home and get her truck to collect it all. The hoses were such a blessing to receive because you have no idea how hard it is to fill water tanks in the winter. The temperature is freezing and the hoses are sometimes over 200 feet from the water source. Hoses have to be drained and put away and we go through a lot of hoses when kiddos are involved. A huge shout out to the KiT program, thanks for your help! Our Gourmet activity group helped raise some funds also for more equipment she needs.
Terri Johnson, VP of Tesh, Inc., had a special wish list in April for the membership and 3Cs Bridge Club. This nonprofit offers choices in opportunities to people with disabilities who are seeking greater independence, self-sufficiency and participation in our community.
The KiT program items ranged from puzzles, to games, to plastic bags, to money that went to purchase a new basketball and an air pump. Many of her clients work on task completion skills so puzzles are a wonderful way to train for that. They use the games to promote social interaction. Many of their children and more challenged adults are working on how to play a game with their peers. The plastic bags are used to teach people to sort items by color or shape. These are skills that may lead to employment in the future. The basketballs that her clients love to use at break time. While it may seem like simple fun, they are learning about sportsmanship, increasing their gross motor skills all while having a wonderful time.
The KiT program is such a blessing to an agency like Tesh as we often don’t have funding to purchase these items. We all can’t thank the 3Cs ladies enough for your support and kindness.
The KIT’s motto, “Little things help a lot,” became a reality for local non-profits in 2021.
By also helping CASA, Orchard Ridge Senior Living, Northern Idaho Crisis Center, Anna Schindler Foundation, On Site for Seniors, Family Promise and Press Christmas for all.
Even though COVID prevented a few 3Cs activity groups from meeting, these special ladies were able to contribute: Bowling, Bunco, Coeur d’Aleers, Crafty Crew, Garden Club, Golf, Mah Jongg and Twisted Stitchers. Also, members voluntarily made donations at the 3Cs general meetings and with small gifts to our charities each month — the spirit of giving stays alive year-round. 3Cs has been making a difference in Kootenai County since 1962 and will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2022. To learn more about 3Cs, go to www.ccc-northidaho.org.
Janice Schindelbeck is 2nd Vice and KiT Chair for 3Cs.