Ten million-plus thank yous to generous community

Few would disagree with the observation that our communities are incredibly generous. We see the evidence just about every day of the year.

I asked my friend, auctioneer Rose Backs, who owns Elite Auction with her husband, Matt, if she could provide me with a ballpark figure of charitable auction giving in 2025 from the local area events she and her team worked. The number knocked it out of the ballpark! The $10,000,000 is the amount of Elite’s 107 events, live auction and paddle raise donations only, which is all the company tracks. The total event revenue would also include silent auction, raffle and admission ticket sales. Wow!

Elite Auction was founded on the guiding principle that there’s more to a fundraiser or benefit event than what takes place on stage for the live auction. A well-executed event from doors opening to final farewell will ultimately affect the success.

We’re so fortunate to live in a community of big, generous hearts and beyond business people like Rose and Matt and their passion and professionalism.

‘Tis the season for charitable events and nonprofit fundraisers, which take place here primarily in late winter and spring. Coming up Jan. 31 is the annual fundraiser for the Red and Blue Foundation, which provides critical assistance for first responders in crisis and their immediate families in Kootenai County. A Night in Monte Carlo Charity Gala takes place at The Coeur d’Alene Resort on Saturday, Jan. 31. Ticket sales close Friday, Jan. 16. redbluefoundation.org or 208-398-0023.

Thanks in advance to all of you who attend these events, donate goods and services to live and silent auctions and open your hearts and wallets to make life better in every corner of our communities.

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Actress Sharon Stone noted in a recent speech, "Fame without awareness, success without purpose is pointless ... Do something with what you have. Use your talent and become a purpose. The only thing that matters in this life is what you do with what you’ve got.”

Good words to start the new year.

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Happy Birthday today to Teresa Wasileski, Addison Baltzell, Judy Eichelberger, Anita Weaver, Claudia Elliott, Jason Wereley and Jaden Alexander. Tomorrow, Rex Grace, Gayle Erickson, Paula Laws, Betsy Anderson, Kelli Ormesher and James Roberge put on their party hats. On Friday, Kenny Peterson, Gail Wilson, Anita Millward, John Keener, Shelly Robson, Kelly Blaski, Mary Mort, Nick Dimico, Bill Miller and Elaine Cook will hear the birthday song. On Saturday, Valentina Tripepi-Shoop, Eden Irgens, Michelle Martens and Charles Newman turn the page on the calendar. Celebrating their big day Sunday are Kenna Scott, Travis Chaney, Peg Suenkel, Aubrey Davis, Mike Webb, BJ Holinka, Suzanne Courtney, Amanda Kralicek, Kristy Walsh, Mike Taylor and Nina Tikalsky. Taking another trip around the sun Monday are Austin Isakson, Wade McLean, Roy Carlson, Gavin Krieg and Terry Drapeau. On Jan. 20, Bob Short, Mary Spridgeon and Larry Sackett celebrate birthdays.

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Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and the former publisher of the Post Falls Tribune. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press and Kerri can be contacted on Facebook or via email [email protected].