COEUR d'ALENE - Flo Watson once tried to tell Ellen Walden no.

As the story goes, Watson had a dental appointment, and told Walden she couldn't take part in a 3Cs event.

Nice try.

The day before the dental appointment, Walden called Watson.

"Flo," she said. "Your name wasn't on the list. I put it on. I'll see you tomorrow."

Watson didn't try to argue. She did as told.

"So I had to call and cancel my dental appointment," she said, laughing. "She expected us to go to everything."

Ellen Walden, founder of Cancer and Community Charities in 1962, was a caring person committed to raising money to fight cancer, said Watson. And she was also determined. Very determined.

"She did things that other people, if they did it, you would be upset," the 82-year-old Watson said. "But she did it with such earnestness, you just did things for her."

Today, the 3Cs continues to thrive.

Since its inception 50 years ago, it has raised nearly $900,000 and is closing in on the $1 million mark.

All of it has gone to local charities, most to benefit cancer patients, and then children, both near and dear to the late Ellen Walden's heart. Every penny.

Its hundreds of members go by the motto of raising money for charity by having fun.

"It really should say, we pay to play," said Gratia Griffith, 3Cs member since 1985 when she moved here from the Silver Valley.

"Ellen Walden got her hook in me right away," she said, laughing. "I had no idea what was going on. She was very persistent."

Griffith loves the club for its enthusiasm, friendships and wonderful things it does for the community.

"You get what you give," she said.

Carol Peterson, 3Cs president, became involved because she wanted to give back to her community, and saw that nonprofits could use a hand, too. She looked around for a group to join and quickly settled on the 3Cs, which has no paid staff.

"I wanted it to be local," she said, "and I wanted to have a good time doing it."

Good times, for sure, followed.

Whether bowling, golfing, playing bridge, gardening or belonging to the book club, 3Cs stuck together - like glue, as they say. Ellen Jaeger, Kathy Moseley, Marge Chadderdon and Lola Hagadone are other longtime members.

"These gals really have a good time, yet they do great things for the community," Peterson said.

Jeri Robideaux joined the 3Cs shortly after moving here in 1960. She was one of the first members.

She made many friends through it.

"It's a wonderful group of people that are nice. If you're new to town, they welcome you," she said.

The 90-year-old Robideaux who lives in Coeur d'Alene was particularly proud of Ellen Walden and enjoyed their time together.

"She really worked hard and kept it going. She just was a good friend," Robideaux said. "She charmed everybody into doing something."

Hazel Fox, a "forever member" of the 3Cs, recalled bowling in the Cancer Crusades Bowling League started in 1962 by Ellen Walden.

She carried a 140 average, and once nearly bowled a perfect 300 game. She tossed 11 straight strikes at Cove Bowl, she said, but on her last shot she left the 7-10 split.

"The bad one," the 97-year-old said, chuckling.

"The bowling alley was absolutely silent. Everybody was watching. I think that's why I got nervous and didn't get it. But I got close."

The 3Cs, Fox said, are still special in her heart.

"It's a fun group. Nobody is out for blood. They just like to get together and bowl," she said.

Fox laughed and shook her head when asked if she still bowls.

"I have a hard time walking, let along bowl," she said.

Majorie Peak said Ellen Walden was the driving force behind 3Cs, and everyone knew it.

"She was the iron fist and the velvet glove. She told you what to do, and you did it," Peak said.

Like Watson, she once tried to tell Walden no.

It didn't work, either, for the 24-year member. And for that, she's glad.

"It makes you feel so wonderful that you raised so much money for the community," Peak said. "You feel like you've done something."

She noted in the past two years, they distributed $70,000.

"At the same time we were having so much fun," she said.

Whether young, old, married or single, all are welcome, as long as they join the common goal of being involved, raising money, serving the community.

"It's wonderful for everyone," Peak said.

Watson remembers that in the early years, Walden would write down ideas for ways the group could get started and raise money right away. She would ask Watson to look at her list of possibilities and ask for feedback.

"I said, 'This is going to be a lot of work,'" Watson said. "She looked at me and said, 'But I've got all of you.'"

Which, of course, Watson couldn't dispute.

"I said, 'Oh, all right.'"

How could you not go along with what Ellen Walden wanted to do, Watson asked.

"Ellen's dream was to get rid of cancer, any way she could," Watson said. "She was interested in only making money toward this effort."

The success of the 3Cs is evident. All you have to do is look around the community and you can see where the group left its mark, Watson said.

It has made a difference for the better.

"Ellen would be so proud of this group," Watson said. "There's no doubt in my mind she's watching us every day. I just know she is."

About the 3Cs

The 3Cs, Cancer and Community Charities, is an outgrowth of the Cancer Crusaders Bowling League started in 1962 by the late Ellen Walden, for whom the Walden House is named.

It is an organization of women volunteers committed to raising funds to fight cancer and to assist with needs in the community.

It was formally established in 1975 and continues to host fundraisers throughout the year.

It welcomes women from all walks of life. 3Cs bowl, golf, garden, read, play bridge and sing.

Info: www.cancerandcommunitycharities.org