Fabulous philanthropy

COEUR d'ALENE — From senior citizens and infant safety to food programs and mental health, Cancer and Community Charities members bestowed their full support Friday as they gifted $135,000 to 31 local nonprofits and charitable causes during their annual 3Cs Appreciation Lunch.

It's the most money the volunteer organization — which began in 1962 and was established as a nonprofit in 1975 — has raised in a single year in its long altruistic history, and 3Cs members were overjoyed to give it all back to their community.

"This is what we work for all year long," outgoing President Ann Dare said. "We have a good time and raise money to stay in Kootenai County, which is very unique."

She thanked grant recipients and 3Cs members who attended the event at the Best Western Plus Coeur d'Alene Inn. Dare was also pleased to hand the presidential gavel to incoming 3Cs President Judy Gardner, who previously held the office in 2014-25.

"I'm 10 years older and I just hope that it works out like it did last time — I know it will," Gardner said with a smile. "We just have a great group of ladies."

Members of the 3Cs enjoy friendship and adventures as they spend the year raising money through various activity groups, such as book, bridge, bowling, bunco, golf, mahjong and garden clubs as well as the Funables field trip group and performance-loving Showtime Gals.

"Our 3Cs grant is going to provide wearable blankets for new babies to keep them safe during sleep," Northwest Infant Survival and SIDS Alliance Executive Director Liz Montgomery said, adding the wearable blankets will be given to local partner agencies and to those who complete NISSA's Safe Sleep 101 class.

"A wearable blanket replaces the loose blankets in the cribs that can be suffocation and strangulation hazards for babies during sleep," Montgomery said. "They'll get the education and tools to sleep their babies safe."

The 3Cs funds will go toward a year's worth of cooking classes for about 30 aspiring chefs at Tesh, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to providing choices and opportunities to children and adults with disabilities.

"We're calling it 'Ready, Set, Cook' class," Tesh CEO Marcee Hartzell said. "They plan meals, research meals and they also put on the parties at Tesh, so they are the party planners."

Bag and Boob Babes, a women's cancer awareness nonprofit with volunteers who make "Knitted Knockers" and drain bags for patients, will continue its mission with the 3Cs support.

"We're all thankful, because we all have to buy yarn," which is expensive, said 3Cs member and Bag and Boob Babes volunteer Elaine Kimball. 

Bereavement coordinator Abbie Link said Hospice of North Idaho will use its 3Cs grant for Camp Kaniksu, a grief summer camp for children held at Camp Lutherhaven.

"It's free for the kids in the community if they've lost a loved one, a parent, a grandparent, a sibling," Link said.

"It's just a great opportunity to give kids some tools to deal with their grief, because it's not something that's talked about in schools, it's not talked about in the community," she said. "Kids learn to navigate the world through play, and they learn to navigate grief and hard topics by watching adults in their life, and it's not like adults are given lessons on that either."

Gardner, who will be president for a two-year term, said to luncheon attendees she expects the next couple years to be great.

"I hope," she said, "so we can give you more money."

Other 2024 3Cs grant recipients:

Third Street Market, Alzheimer's Association, Beacon Cancer Center, Birthright, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Casting for Recovery, Canopy Village (formerly Children's Village), Chrysalis, Coeur Community Closet, Community Action Partnership Coeur d'Alene Food Bank, Community United Methodist Church - foster kids program, Family Promise of North Idaho, First Judicial District Court Appointed Special Advocates Program, Harmony Ranch, Hayden Senior Center, Idaho Drug Free Youth, Kootenai Health Foundation and Walden House, Lake City Center, the Literacy Project of North Idaho, the National Association of Mental Illness, North Idaho Veterans Assistance League, On Site for Seniors, Orchard Ridge Senior Living, Relatives as Parents, Safe Passage, Safety Net Inland Northwest and Trinity Group Homes.

    Outgoing President Ann Dare, front left, hands the gavel to incoming President Judy Gardner during the 3Cs' 2024 officer installation ceremony, Appreciation Lunch and grant funds distribution Friday at the Best Western Plus Coeur d'Alene Inn.
  

    Elaine Kimball of Bag and Boob Babes, right, is seen with samples of comforting items her women's cancer nonprofit sews as she takes the stage Friday to accept a grant check from incoming Cancer and Community Charities President Judy Gardner. The 3Cs raised and gave away a record $135,000 this year.