Local nonprofits to community: THANK YOU
Local nonprofits receive various means of support throughout the year, from pocket change to oversized checks that come from helping hands to business sponsors.
The leaders of those North Idaho organizations are grateful for the community's support, today and every day.
Ann Dare, president of Cancer and Community Charities, fondly known as the 3Cs, said she and the more than 400 3Cs members are happy to live in such a caring community.
"I am especially grateful for the support and dedication of our members," Dare said Tuesday. "They work diligently every year to raise funds to give back to charities in Kootenai County. Without our volunteers and members, that wouldn’t be possible."
The folks at the Kootenai Health Foundation, the fundraising branch of Kootenai Health, are also thankful for community support throughout the year.
"Seeing people come together through philanthropy to support the health care needs of our families, friends and neighbors is so inspiring," said Cara Nielsen, president of the Kootenai Health Foundation. "It is remarkable to see the love and generosity flow freely and I feel blessed to live and work here.”
United Way of North Idaho's leaders are thankful for the network of child care providers that do critical work for local families in the workforce as well as the future they are building for North Idaho's youngest citizens, Executive Director Mark Tucker said.
"They have also been critical in helping us ensure child care scholarships reach the right families and implementing the process," he said. "We are thankful to have been in a position to provide scholarships to another 350 families this past year."
He said one of the things he loves about United Way is how collaboration is built into the structure of the organization.
"There are about 1,000 United Ways across the country and they all have connections and ability to work with all sectors of their local communities," Tucker said. "For United Way of North Idaho, we are thankful to have caring individuals and leaders willing to work together to help improve lives of our neighbors."
Those who care for North Idaho's four-legged, furry and feathered friends at Companions Animal Center (formerly Kootenai Humane Society) are grateful for an animal-loving community that continues to adopt animals into loving homes.
"We are so blessed to have our community’s support to provide the care these precious animals need until that loving home can be found," Development Director Vicky Nelson said. "With the opening of the new facility this year, Companions can continue to care for the homeless animals and offer our community services for their animals as well. We wish all of them the happiest of 'howlidays.'"
The center is open at noon Friday, Nelson said.
"Spend your Thanksgiving Friday by visiting all of our four-legged friends," she said. "No turkey needed!"
St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho Executive Director Larry Riley said he is thankful for life's blessings, his family, friends and faith, and for a staff that never quits.
"The common denominator I see in staff is a servant's heart," Riley said. "Any one of our employees can run off to another job and bring home a bigger paycheck. But a bigger paycheck isn't what it's all about. It's about having an impact and feeling of accomplishment when you go home at night. And going home doesn't mean we turn things off. I don't. Especially this Thanksgiving week, when it's cold at night, I think about people sleeping outside or in their cars."
He said there's nothing satisfying about calling Child Protective Services on a parent, breaking up fights or being spit on by someone who is delusional or being yelled at by a community member who thinks the nonprofit could do more.
"We can only do so much, and kindness does matter," Riley said. "In scope, very few people working at a non-governmental organization will experience what my staff does on a weekly basis. Real issues, real people and real challenges. A most difficult job. I learned a long time ago that the most important asset on a balance sheet are your employees. Never forget that."
Boys and Girls Club of Kootenai County Executive Director Mark Kuhnhausen said the club has much to be thankful for this year, including a community that loves kids so much.
"I am very thankful for our dedicated staff, as they strive to give our kids the very best day after day, even when things get rough," Kuhnhausen said. "I know they are here for the right reasons and I am proud of our team."
He said he is grateful for a committed board of directors that provides leadership and resources to support the work of the nonprofit.
"Their guidance makes it possible for the club to provide a safe, affordable place for kids to learn, grow and succeed," he said.
He added a "thank you" to the donors who supported the capital campaign to expand and remodel the Jordan Johnson Clubhouse in Post Falls, which will allow for more kids to be served.
In the world of academia, the North Idaho College Foundation provides opportunities for student to pursue higher education and training. Executive Director Rayelle Anderson said the foundation's "thank you" list is a long one this year.
"Thank you to the donors for partnering with us to invest in the dreams of students — your generosity helped provide 1,007 scholarships to deserving students last academic year alone," Anderson said. "Gratitude to the volunteers and especially to the NIC Foundation Board of Directors for their extraordinary leadership and unwavering commitment to students. Cheers to the hard-working NIC students and alumni. Much appreciation to the NIC employees and their visionary leader, Nick Swayne. Sincere thanks to every participant in our events and Really BIG Raffle. Together, we are changing lives one student at a time."
The North Idaho Fair and Rodeo Foundation, the steward of the Kootenai County Fairgrounds, is thankful for fair family, loyal donors, fair staff, friends and volunteers who make all the magic happen to bring great events to the community that support the fairgrounds' growth, youth educational scholarships and programs that support quality agricultural education, North Idaho Fair and Rodeo Foundation Vice President Kim Weatherford said.
"Without each person's various contributions, whether time or money, we would not be able to make the impact we do," she said.
Those who work in restaurants and hospitality jobs are supported through the work of CDAIDE and its team. Executive Director Jason Nye said CDAIDE is thankful for the many volunteers, donors and organizations that supported its mission this year.
"We see the tears of gratitude your time and donations bring every day to the many hospitality workers in our region that are struggling to keep their families housed, warm and safe," Nye said. "We are grateful to be part of a strong community of nonprofits that work hard to support the needs of Coeur d'Alene and the surrounding region. It's a blessing to live in an area where people still care about their neighbors and where goodwill is still valued. Thank you, Coeur d'Alene, for the hope you inspire and the warmth of your hearts."
Nielsen
Riley
Tucker
Nelson and Charlie
Kuhnhausen
Anderson
Weatherford
Nye