Coeur d'Alene is the only city in Idaho that boasts a Kroc Center, a community exercise and gathering place best known for helping youngsters develop healthy habits.

And now, Coeur d'Alene is the only city in Idaho that boasts a Hospice House, an equally impressive facility that addresses end-of-life conditions with enduring dignity.

In both cases, the people of North Idaho made seemingly impossible dreams come true, raising millions of dollars for these noble causes pointed largely at the beginning and end of life. That work isn't quite done.

As a guest column from Jon Hippler recently stated, the $3.5 million Hospice House was built with more than $2.2 million from fundraising and the remainder financed by a bond which was purchased by Mountain West Bank. The nonprofit organization's goal is to retire that bond so the facility can serve the community debt free.

Hippler, who chaired the Hospice House Capital Campaign, acknowledges that several substantial gifts are being considered. He believes one last push to raise $1 million will put Hospice of North Idaho free and clear of debt. We think retiring the debt would do more than lift a fiscal burden from the shoulders of this outstanding organization; it would add to the spiritual depth and breadth of our community.

As Tuesday's Press documented, the first Hospice House client moved in this week. In the years ahead, many, many more will follow, and with them countless families will benefit from the relief and compassionate care dedicated staff will provide.

Before the next worthy capital project comes this way, let's work together to retire the Hospice House debt. The Press will eagerly publish a photo of every new donor who gives $500 or more to Hospice House, whether the gift comes from an individual, family, company or group. Of course, the bigger the gifts, the sooner the debt can be retired.

For more information, please call Amanda Miller or Paul Weil at Hospice of North Idaho, 772-7994. They'll be happy to show you what this community has built, and then we know their dream will be your dream, too.