COEUR d'ALENE - The Special Olympians from North Idaho would have left March 1 for the winter games in Boise.

Some 50 local athletes would have taken part in a dinner, opening ceremonies and lighting the torch.

They would have competed in a day's worth of events on March 2, including snowshoeing, cross country and downhill skiing, snowboarding and floor hockey.

They would have received medals and grinned with pride that their months of training paid off, and celebrated with a big dance.

But it won't happen.

They won't be there.

The Idaho Special Olympics will be minus a contingent from North Idaho because of money. Not enough of it. They needed $10,000 for travel, lodging and other expenses, but had only $4,000.

"We didn't have the money, we couldn't go," said Carol Peck, Special Olympics board member. "That's what happens. It's hard to raise money."

So this year, for the first time in many, they're staying home.

"I think it's devastating," Peck said. "These kids work so hard to get to where they want to.

"It's really crushing to these kids," she said.

But they won't stay down.

The board decided, "since the athletics worked so hard," it would give them a party "to show how proud we are of them," on March 2, the same day they would have gone to the state games.

It's possible, said Peck, because Premier Sport Center in Post Falls, 5980 E. Commerce Loop, donated use of the building.

Special Olympians will be able to play games, listen to music, dance and enjoy pizza and pop.

Many businesses, like Stein's IGA in Rathdrum, are already stepping up to contribute.

"We are asking for more help to see if we can get donations for pizzas and food that is fun for the athletics and their families to make this party great," according to a press release.

Peck believes the evening will soften the blow of missing out on the state games. She and other board members are already planning to raise money for next year to be sure it doesn't happen again.

A Penguin Plunge is scheduled for 10 a.m. March 9 at City Beach. Athletes and others will dive into Lake Coeur d'Alene in exchange for donations. There will be music and prizes, including for best costume.

Another fundraiser, a $25 prime rib dinner, is scheduled April 17 at the Coeur d'Alene Eagles Club.

They want to be able to send as many athletes as possible to next year's Special Olympics winter games in Boise, Peck said.

They will be able to send some athletes to the summer Special Olympics in June in Boise.

Peck said this year was the first in many they didn't have the funds to send a team.

It was tough for the athletes to learn they would be staying home, after training hard - 8-10 weeks, often in cold weather - for their events.

And since North Idaho's Special Olympians won't be competing at state, they can't qualify for the world games, which are in China this year.

"It was hard to tell them," Peck said. "They were very, very disappointed. That's all they want are those medals."

If anyone would like to donate or help at the March 2 party for Special Olympics athletes, call Peck, 651-7534.