18th Annual Relay For Life

The Annual Relay For Life for Kootenai County was held at Greyhound Park and Event Center in Post Falls again this year. This is the 18th year for the Relay in Kootenai County. Over 150 survivors attended the Survivors' Dinner where they enjoyed a wonderful salmon dinner after completing the first lap of our event. A total of 67 teams made up of friends, families, businesses, churches and other non-profit organizations were in attendance.

Happily, this year and met and beat the goal of $100,000, not including many incredible sponsors adding another $40,000 to our total. Even the weather cooperated during the entire event in spite of the predictions of heavy rain!

The event itself was exciting and upbeat thanks in part to dedicated entertainment organizers, Ruby Frog Entertainment. Food and coffee vendors stayed all night providing energy the walkers needed to get through the night. There were a lot of games and goodies, the silent auction was busy all night. The Mr. Relay competition was hilarious, as usual.

Thanks go out to to all the incredible people and businesses that helped put on the amazing event. The Relay for Life's committee, sponsors, donors, team captains and survivors were amazing. Wrapping up the 2010 Relay For Life, all involved look forward to next year.

For more information on Relay For Life or to get involved, visit the website atwww.relayforlife.org/coeurdaleneid.

Midnight In Paris With Children's Village

It was Midnight in Paris at the Best Western Coeur d'Alene Inn on April 9 for the annual charity auction/banquet benefitting Children's Village and the children living there.

Over 160 people attended, bid on silent and live auction items, and enjoyed a wonderful meal and inspirational speakers. The crowd was introduced to a young lady who spent much of her youth at Children's Village and heard the story of how she has come back as an adult and is now working at the Village. This first hand example of how important Children's Village is touched every person in attendance.
Employee Sandy Lassen was noted for her 10 years at the Village as well as CV Foundation Board Member Jim Riley's 5 years of volunteering. Children's Village also presented Dick and Shirlee Wandrocke “The Golden Heart Award” for their service to community and especially for their years of service to Children’s Village.


In light of the economic times, the Village was most grateful for the donations and funds raised. They raised funds via their annual Pledge Program where donors pledge amounts of $10, $25, $50, $100, all the way up to $1000 a month. This has been very beneficial and allows the agency to have an idea of monthly donations in the planning process. Marla’s Gems participated with a special sale that culminated with a huge basket of Gems going to Jan Wheeler!

A final tally has not been made at the time of writing but the event was deemed a success and Children's Village thanks everyone who participated in this important fund raiser.

Children's Village is available 24/7 to help children in crisis or in danger and also assists parents in need of help trying to find resources. CV helps all children birth to eighteen and has the only Crisis Nursery accepting infants and toddlers in harms way at no charge to the family. The Village also has an accredited special needs school, CV Academy, for all grades.

Anyone wishing to help or learn more may check out the web site at www.thechildrensvillage.org or call 208-667-1189.

CASA's 4th Annual Ray of Hope Breakfast

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) held it's annual Ray of Hope Breakfast Thursday, April 8 at the Coeur d'Alene Resort with 290 people attending. The event benefits the FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT CASA PROGRAM, INC. CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) are volunteers who advocate in court for children removed from their homes because of abuse and neglect.

Speakers for the morning included Anne & John Beutler of Century 21 Beutler & Associates (presenting sponsors), Toni Hackwith from Magnuson, McHugh & Company (presenting sponsors), CASA Executive Director Judy Morbeck, ASA Volunteer K.J. Torgerson, attorney Fonda Jovick and CASA Board President Laurie Thomas.

The program highlighted the continued work of CASA and it's many volunteers along with the past, present and expected need for protection of area youth caught in situations beyond their control. Sadly, in today's society there are many children who may fall between the cracks of justice without the assistance of CASA.

Director Morbeck happily reported that over $55,000 was raised to continue CASA's efforts and she had heartfelt thanks for the many contributors.

For more information about CASA, becoming a CASA volunteer or to donate to CASA, go to: www.northidahocasa.com or by calling 208-667-9165 or visiting them at 206 E. Indiana, Ste. 208 in Coeur d'Alene.

The Great Northwest Paper Airplane Contest

The First Annual Great Northwest Paper Airplane Contest at the CdA Resort Plaza on March 22 drew over 150 paper pilots. It was a fundraiser for Art on the Edge, a youth arts organization under the St. Vincent de Paul umbrella.



The Plaza was turned into a virtual airport with control tower, runway and helicopter landing pad. There was a main room where entrants could build their planes using the supplied paper, tape, glue and paper clips. Numerous styles of planes were constructed by all ages. Entries were broken into 4 age groups and 4 categories, distance, time aloft, entertainment and design.



No report on funds raised for Art on the Edge but considering the fun value of the event, we hope this becomes an annual and increasingly popular occurrence. Proceeds went to the continued funding of art programs open to the area's youth. Art on the Edge programs are open to kids 6-18 and offer after school programs, summer programs and are involved with public art and community art festivals. Founded in 1994, AOTE has worked with over 3,000 children.