Friends rally for homeless advocate
BILL BULEY | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 14 years, 3 months AGO
Bill Buley covers the city of Coeur d'Alene for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He has worked here since January 2020, after spending seven years on Kauai as editor-in-chief of The Garden Island newspaper. He enjoys running. | February 12, 2011 8:00 PM
COEUR d'ALENE - Allan Willette has known Kevin Kram for some 20 years. Here's how he describes him:
"His heart has always been for the homeless and the hungry and the needy."
Sunday, a fundraiser is scheduled for the man, his wife and family as they face life-threatening illnesses and a financial crisis that could cost them their Rathdrum home.
"It's absolutely amazing," Kram said Friday. "I didn't realize that many people would take up the call."
Kram's wife Danette, 57, has been fighting cancer for nearly two years and is at University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle waiting for a liver transplant. Their daughter was recently diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
Kram, a self-employed contractor, hasn't been able to work as he has been in Seattle for several months to be with his wife.
For a decade, through Cherished Ones Ministries, the Rathdrum man has helped provide thousands of meals for those who might go hungry.
"Kevin is always the one whose heart is so big, he will give to people in need almost to a fault," Willette said.
To help, a Valentine-themed spaghetti dinner and silent auction is set for 3:30-6 p.m. Sunday at the Cherished Ones soup kitchen, Second and Indiana. There will also be a 50-50 drawing. All 200 advance tickets have sold, but there will be $15 tickets at the door.
Organizer John Corcoran said about 50 items have been donated for the auction. Cabela's, Black Sheep Sporting Goods and Toys and Wholesale Sports have all contributed to the cause.
"People have really stepped up to help Kevin," he said.
A second fundraiser is in the works. Willette, along with Kootenai County Commissioner Todd Tondee and Coeur d'Alene City Councilman Mike Kennedy, have agreed to either raise $1,000 or sleep outside Feb. 19.
Willette said he has already raised more than $1,000, but plans to sleep out anyway, in effort to bring attention to the plight of the homeless in the area, which is what Kram would want.
"It's the right thing to do," the Post Falls man said. "God's word tells us to help the needy. "
Willette said Kram has never been one to ask for any help for himself, but said he deserves it.
"If I was in his shoes, I would appreciate somebody helping me," Willette said.
Kram said the cost of driving back and forth, paying for parking and food, along with not being able to work, is adding up. While he isn't used to receiving help, he said he's glad to have friends who want to do what they can for him.
"You don't realize it until you're on this side of it," he said.
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