3Cs donates over $135,000 to local causes

More than two dozen North Idaho nonprofits received a major boost Friday as the 3Cs organization distributed more than $137,000 in donations during its annual Appreciation Luncheon at the Best Western Plus Coeur d'Alene Inn.

Highlighted by a performance from the 3Cs' own Golden Solez, the event drew more than 200 attendees for an afternoon celebrating philanthropy and community impact. In total, the 3Cs awarded funds to 28 organizations serving causes ranging from Alzheimer's care and mental health support to adult literacy.

"We need places like that," said Judy Gardener, president of the 3Cs.

Among the recipients was the National Alliance on Mental Illness Coeur d'Alene, which provides support groups, education and advocacy for individuals living with mental illness and their families across Kootenai, Benewah and Shoshone counties.

Jill Ainsworth, executive director of NAMI Coeur d'Alene, said donations such as the one received Friday are "imperative" to the organization's work.

"Our money stays within these communities," Ainsworth said.

Fundraising can be challenging, she said, given the many worthy causes competing for support throughout the Inland Northwest. State and federal funding is also limited and highly competitive.

Ainsworth said the 3Cs donation will support the organization's many peer and family support groups.

"When you walk in, everybody in there understands how you feel," she said.

The Literacy Project of North Idaho was another organization benefiting from the luncheon. After receiving support from the 3Cs last year, the nonprofit was able to launch its "1 Million Page Reading Challenge," which concludes at the end of August.

The initiative proved so successful that organizers doubled the goal to 2 million pages, said founder Kat Gilmore.

"We're a few thousand pages away, so that's exciting!" Gilmore said.

The Literacy Project of North Idaho works to improve adult literacy rates.

"One in five can't read above a third-grade reading level," Gilmore said.

She noted that literacy struggles often carry significant stigma, preventing many adults from seeking help.

"They don't want anybody to know because they don't want people to feel like they lied to them," she said.

While the organization attracts plenty of volunteers, Gilmore said training capacity has been a bottleneck because she is currently the only person able to conduct volunteer training. This year's 3Cs donation will help fund the development of an online training program, allowing the nonprofit to expand its volunteer base.

"It's really going to open up volunteers," she said.

Gilmore praised the region's culture of giving, saying local grants and donations make it possible for organizations to complete projects.

"We live in a beautiful, super-generous community," she said.

    Judy Gardner hugs Debbie Nadrchal of North Idaho Stand Down as she presents her the 3Cs donation check.