THANKS: Tree of Giving a blessing

We would like to thank all of you who so generously donated gifts and grocery gift cards to the Tree of Giving at Peterson's Family Foods this year. Although the economy has been hard, you gave even more than the year before!

God Bless all of you for helping those in need. Your thoughtfulness and kindness helped give a very Merry Christmas to some really great kids and their families.

And a special Thank You to Peterson's Family Foods for hosting this event each year.

Have a healthy, safe and Happy New Year!

EILEEN and DAN VAN ROOY

Coeur d'Alene

BASEBALL: Forest Steel steps up

The city of Rathdrum Parks & Recreation Department along with Lakeland Little League would like to say thank you to Mr. Grant Forest and the staff at Forest Steel Sales in Coeur d'Alene.

Recently, Forest Steel was contacted about donating materials to assist with the construction of a new batting cage that would benefit the Lakeland Little League juniors division program as well as the Lakeland High School C team at Cooper Field, which is a city owned facility just off Main Street in Rathdrum. The ball field was re-constructed five years ago and although there have been many improvements made to the field over the years; a batting cage was always a dream.

Last week Forest Steel made that dream a reality when they contacted the Park & Recreation Department and announced they would donate all the material necessary to construct the framework for the batting cage.

On behalf of the city of Rathdrum and Lakeland Little League we would like to say Thank You and express on behalf of the baseball players, what a great and much-needed improvement this batting cage will be. It has been a pleasure working with Mr. Forest and the Forest Steel Sales staff.

ERIC SINGER

Parks foreman

Rathdrum

SPONSORS: Thanks for show

I want to say a big THANK YOU to Golden Spike Estates, Glacier Homes, Edge Roofing and Davesbillboard.com for sponsoring the amazing fireworks presentation New Year's Eve in Rathdrum honoring our veterans and wounded soldiers.

As a resident of Golden Spike Estates, the 55-plus community southwest of Rathdrum, I and more than 110 other residents enjoyed a delicious New Year's Eve potluck in our clubhouse. Then at precisely 6:45 p.m. the fireworks were lit in Thayer's field off Lancaster Road.

Many residents at GSE can't navigate the fireworks show in other cities and having this in our small community is fantastic.

I hope other businesses and residents will contribute to the Rathdrum fireworks show in the future. Us oldies, and many others, had a great show and honoring our military was a distinct pleasure and should continue.

I love the business model of Davesbillboard.com with their generous continued tithing to wounded soldier programs. We should all do what we can to honor our military and I hope the communities use the businesses that sponsor these activities. Keep up the good work everyone.

C.A. QUINTON

Rathdrum

COMMUNITY: You're generous

North Idaho Violence Prevention Center (NIVPC) "Adopt A Family" Christmas program gives thanks to our generous community!

If only you could have seen the tears of joy and surprised faces when the gifts were picked up!

The staff and clients of NIVPC want to thank each and every one that participated in the "Adopt-A-Family" Christmas program. With the help and generosity of the community we were able to provide a Christmas for 82 families, buy a new refrigerator for the Shelter, buy four twin mattresses, repair a car, replace a window in a car and provide a bus ticket for relocation. In addition to their gifts, each family also received food and/or a gift card.

The families were overwhelmed with the generosity and kindness. Many clients expressed how it made them feel cared for, that strangers would want to help them at this time of need in their lives and make their Christmas a special one.

Thank you again, we could not do it without you!

Sincerely,

BOBBI BILD

NIVPC Adopt-A-Family coordinator

The entire staff of NIVPC

CYT-NI: Thanks to supporters

Christian Youth Theater-North Idaho would like to thank those in the community who participated, volunteered or donated to our recent fundraiser, Play in a Day on Dec. 27 and 28.

One hundred forty-two local kids along with 25-plus adult volunteers put together "Highlights of Mary Poppins" in 24 hours! The cast of 112 kids memorized their lines and song lyrics overnight while 20-plus teens pulled and created the sets, props and costumes. At 7 a.m. Dec. 28, while the crew slept, the cast rehearsed learning their blocking, choreography and songs. At 2 p.m. all of the kids and volunteers came together for dress rehearsal, a quick bite to eat, and then a performance for supporters and the curious who couldn't believe it could be done.

While the event was free to the children who participated, through ticket sales to the public and a drawing for donated items, CYT-North Idaho grossed more than $3,000. Nearly 8 percent of the profit went directly into a scholarship fund to provide tuition for kids who wish to take CYT-North Idaho's theater arts classes. The remainder goes directly back into the nonprofit educational program.

CYT-North Idaho and Chillbucket Productions would like to specially acknowledge the following businesses for their donations: Build-a-Bear Workshop; Coeur d'Alene Chocolates; Columbia Paint & Coatings; Del Taco, Hayden; Fred Meyer; Kohl's; Papa Murphy's, Coeur d'Alene; Pizza Hut, Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls; and Starbucks, Government Way.

They would also like to like to thank the Kroc Community Center for their continued support.

CHRISTIAN YOUTH THEATER-NORTH IDAHO

DINNER: 475 served in Athol

The Athol community served 475 meals Christmas day at their annual Christmas Dinner.

The old Athol Gymasium was turned into a Christmas Wonderland by volunteers.

There were twinkling Christmas trees, decorations, lights and Elfs handing out presents to the children.

It was amazing to see people working together to make something wonderful happen.

The true spirit of Christmas was enjoyed by all who attended.

The Athol community would like to recognize and thank those businesses who contributed to this special occasion: Action Printers, American Legion (Athol), Athol Baptisted Church, Chilco Mill, Coles Automotive, Country Boy Kitchen, Darigold, Espresso Yourself, Home Depot, KKJ Pizza, Lite House Dressing, Merrit Brothers, Midway Restaurant Supply, Northwoods Veterinary Clinic, Rustlers Roost, Saddle Up Restaurant, Silverwood Theme Park, Super 1 Foods (Hayden) and Target.

We are attempting to thank all of you who participated. The list of individuals who donated their time and money is to large for this article.

The Athol community thanks you for your help and wishes you a Happy New Year.

MICHAEL SHOFFNER

BIRTHDAY BALL: A beautiful event

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the following for their great efforts to make the 236th Marine Corps Birthday Ball a beautiful evening: The Coeur d'Alene Resort, Coeur d'Alene Firefighters Pipes & Drum, The Coeur d'Alene Resort serving staff and Tuxedo Junction.

Another big thank you goes out to the following for their contributions that helped make the Toys for Tots silent auction successful: Ron & Sally Barnett, Jesse Eggers (IHOP Int'l.), Gladys Sullivan, Gary Gilbert, Jim & Julia Mangan, Scott Legaard, Kevin Gonzelas, Playtone Int'l, Jack in the Box, Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area, Bed Bath & Beyond, Quinns Resort, Center Target Sports, Cabela's, Outback Steakhouse, Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park, Wolf Lodge, Sgt. Grit. (Oklahoma City, Okla.), Texas Roadhouse, John Bishop (Annapolis, Md.), The Marine Shop (Virginia), The Fedora Pub & Grille and Pizza Hut.

A special thank you to all bidders and winners of the silent auction.

PAULETTE GAFFNEY

Marine Corps League

Pappy Boyington Detachment

Auxiliary Unit