Altruistic all-stars

COEUR d'ALENE — A passion for helping others.

This is what drives Maggie Lyons to do what she does.

And boy, does she do it well.

Lyons is the United Way of North Idaho nonprofit professional of the year. She was honored Thursday during United Way’s annual awards luncheon, ImpACT, held Thursday at The Coeur d’Alene Resort.

“I am actually, really, as I think about it, quite humbled by this," Lyons said. "But truly, I think it reflects more the work that I am so passionate about and that so many of you — in fact all of you in this room — are so passionate about."

Lyons is the founder of Charity Reimagined, a nonprofit organization that works with other nonprofits, civic groups and ministries to broaden their approach to addressing poverty of resources, spirit or strength by implementing new and effective ways to help those who need it most.

Lyons said she launched Charity Reimagined in 2018 after realizing her generosity, which she equated to unconditional giving of money and time, was hurting the very people she wanted to help.

She is the interim executive director of the nonprofit Panhandle Affordable Housing Alliance, which is devoted to bringing homes, through rental and ownership, within reach for more people of less means. Lyons also serves on the board of Love, Inc., a faith-based nonprofit that mobilizes local churches to transform lives and communities.

“I can tell you honestly, the only thing certain for me these last four years has been uncertainty," Lyons said. "This work is a calling, like it is for all of us in this room."

She shared a few things she’s learned on her journey, including how needs and solutions differ between those who are generationally poor and those in the asset limited, income constrained employed (ALICE) population.

“To respond to these needs, our business communities, resources and assets are essential, like car repair shops,” Lyons said. “Those resources must be delivered in sustainable models.”

She said those in need must actively participate in the help they are receiving in order to ensure they maintain their dignity and pride in the process.

“If we really, really want to help the poor, we must ask ourselves the question: What are we hoping for in the long run?” Lyons said. “Numbers served does not equal impact made.”

Sharing the spotlight was another person with a passion for people — Debi Alsager, who was honored as United Way of North Idaho’s volunteer of the year.

Alsager volunteers at Orchard Ridge Senior Living, a faith-based, nonprofit senior living community. She was nominated for the award by Orchard Ridge community relations director Holly Johnson.

“When Debi retired, she was replaced with three people to take her place and fill her role," Johnson said. "She’s that type of a lady."

Johnson said Alsager didn’t slow down when she retired. She’s been volunteering at Orchard Ridge for several years and she’s the type of person who is willing to do whatever is asked of her, Johnson said. She discussed Alsager’s relentless spirit of volunteerism and dedication to Orchard Ridge’s residents.

“She paints residents’ nails while she visits with them, she’s done one-on-one visits with residents that don’t have regular visitors, bringing them flowers, candies, treats, reading to them, whatever they like to do," Johnson said. "She brings a lot of joy into their lives. She helps set up and decorate for parties and events and tears down afterward and hauls the trash out."

Alsager is also the secretary of the Lake Coeur d’Alene Anglers Association. She volunteers with Lake City Church and local veteran organizations including the Parrot Head Club and Newby-ginnings of North Idaho.

Alsager was unable to attend the event in person, so her daughter, Tiffany Pettit, who works in human resources and accounting at Orchard Ridge, accepted the award and said a few words on Alsager’s behalf.

“She is a woman of many talents and abilities," Pettit said. "Even before she retired, she was helping out in our school growing up and was team mom Debi to my brother’s 15-plus years of playing baseball. She supported my dad as an American Legion baseball program board member, all while working a full-time job. She finds joy and fulfillment in helping others."

The ImpACT Awards Luncheon also served as an educational opportunity for United Way of North Idaho's leaders and staff members to share with guests the work it has completed or assisted with in the past year through its financial stability, health and education impact councils.

Executive director Mark Tucker closed the program with a reminder of kindness.

"When you look at the political discourse, the online bantering, the negativity that's out there, it makes you wonder, what is that Venn diagram like for people in our community?" he said. "I feel like there's a lot of overlap, but when you look at those and you think about those, sometimes it feels like there's very little overlap in that Venn diagram."

He said even among people of differing political views, commonality exists.

"We all want better for our community, we all want a safer place, we want a community that's economically thriving, we want people to be able to work," Tucker said. "Before you reply to a post or comment on a post, think about that Venn diagram and what they're going through, what's out there that people are going through, because I think we all are. And that's what it means to live united."