MY TURN: 'Warming many hearts'

“Civilized societies take care of the less advantaged." An oft-mentioned quote, cited by a local elected official.

So how do you take the topic of “Unhoused in North Idaho” and homelessness and make it "upbeat" at 6:30 a.m. on a very cold January morning? Hard to do, yet the foundation was set nicely at the Coeur d'Alene Regional Chamber Upbeat Breakfast by Chief Allan of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe; Mike Baker, CEO of Heritage Health; and Linda Coppess, chamber CEO — who simply framed the question in many words, “How can you make a difference for those struggling to get by?”

Chief Allan then made a difference by pulling a generous bill from his pocket and asked attendees to join him in backing a worthy cause. He followed by saying the Coeur d’Alene Tribe would make a $5,000 donation to support the less advantaged among us. Sponsoring the Upbeat Breakfast, Mike Baker then talked about how support requires collaboration and commitment.

With the foundation now set, my housing director, Kelli Lunceford and I began to weave the audience through ways St. Vinny’s helps take care of the less advantaged in our blessed community.

By program’s end, Rick Rasmussen, Northwest Specialty Hospital CEO, humbly pledged another $5,000. If you could only read my mind — “C’mon! What?” Yet it didn’t end there? By the time I returned to the office, Steve Thompson, president of Hayden Furniture Depot, was on the phone asking how his company could lend a hand. So, stay tuned for some automobile love in July. In short, he came up with a fundraiser idea that’ll include hot rods, hotdogs and music this summer.

These leaders aren’t asking for recognition, yet it’s my honor to throw praise their way! Thanks Chief, Mike, Linda, Rick, Steve and +100 Chamber members who found a way to “take care of the less advantaged” in upbeat ways when only days later overnight temps would drop to minus 15°; extreme cold making it hurt to breathe. You’re warming many hearts!

Larry Riley is executive director of St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho.