'Big impact'

COEUR d’ALENE — When Sue Thilo is the one being called on stage for an award, she would prefer someone else get the attention.

“While I accept this honor, I do it very humbly, knowing that any of you could be up there as well,” she told about 125 people at the United Way of North Idaho’s annual awards luncheon, “Impact.”

Thilo received the Volunteer of the Year award, while Becca Stinson with St. Vincent de Paul received the Nonprofit Professional of the Year award at the Best Western Plus Coeur d’Alene Inn on Thursday. 

Community Care Fund Grant recipients, Corporate Champions and top campaign companies were also highlighted for their philanthropic efforts through United Way.

“Amazing people,” said Mark Tucker, UWNI executive director. “I’m honored to be part of this and able to recognize you.”

Community Care Fund recipients for health investments went to several organizations, including Safe Passage, Safe Start, Post Falls Food Bank, Shoshone County Women’s Resource Center, Orchard Ridge Senior Living and Hayden Senior Center.

Under education investments, St. Vincent de Paul, Lutherhaven Ministries, Emerge CDA and Selkirk Conservation Alliance were among the honorees.

“When people talk about how much work United Way does, we all know it’s the partnership with you that really makes the big impact," Tucker said.

UWNI awarded 368 child care scholarships valued at $502,846, and nearly $380,000 in child care provider support. But an emotional Tucker said its child care fund is preciously low and could use support.

Corporate Champions honored were Advanced Benefits, US Bank, Hagadone Corp./Hagadone Hospitality, Avista Utilities, Smooth-IT, Architects West, BNSF Railway, and Idaho Central Credit Union.

"Thank you again to all of you Corporate Champions for supporting this work," said Kristine Miller, UWNI board member and development chair.

The top five campaign companies that offer payroll deduction to support UWNI were Avista Utilities, Hagadone Corp./Hagadone Hospitality, US Bank, Advanced Benefits and Costco.

Larry Riley, executive director of St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho, nominated Stinson, director of social services, for the Nonprofit Professional of the Year award.

Riley said Stinson helps women in domestic violence situations, keeps families together and others “suffering in silence.”

She does so with passion, patience and is calm under fire, often working holidays and weekends, Riley said. He described her as selfless, strong and a tireless advocate of the less fortunate.

“A lot of what she does is thankless, yet so appreciated by hundreds of clients,” he said.

Stinson offered a few words, saying she was embarrassed but “very honored" to be nominated.

She said she works in the trenches, with most days at the Help Center helping people in crisis.

She loves her work.

“I do so without fear or hesitation,” she said.

Stinson said she considered the award a “thank you after 10 years."

“These get-togethers are the business side of what we do,” she said. "It’s wonderful and we wouldn’t be able to it without this side of it.”

Richard Jurvelin nominated Thilo. He said her volunteer efforts are many. She has volunteered with St. Vincent's, the Women’s Gift Alliance, Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre, North Idaho College and Idaho Community Foundation.

And that’s just to name a few.

Jurvelin said there are voices dedicated to improving the health and resources of the community, who want to improve lives where they can.

“Over the years, Sue is one of those who represents that particular voice,” Jurvelin said.

Thilo said she is “very lucky and very fortunate that I have the opportunity to volunteer.”

She said she was in “good company” with those “who are swimming upstream to find solutions to problems.”

“To be singled out as a volunteer among an ocean of volunteers in this community is very, very special. I’m certainly very fortunate to be a volunteer,” Thilo said.

And she isn’t done.

“There’s a lot of work to do out there,” Thilo said.

    Becca Stinson speaks after receiving the Nonprofit Professional of the Year at the United Way of North Idaho annual awards luncheon at the Best Western Plus Coeur d'Alene Inn on Thursday.
  

    Eric Haakenson with the Hagadone Corp., left, accepts a Corporate Champion award from Mark Tucker, United Way of North Idaho executive director, on Thursday during the UWNI's annual awards luncheon.