RANCH: Expanding classes with generous gifts

Harmony Ranch, Inc. wishes to thank two organizations for their continued support of our program. We have been able to expand the classes for therapeutic riding because of their generous gifts.

Running a ranch includes more than just the preparation for the classes. Our Director, Diana Clemons, must keep the site in good condition, train and teach her volunteers to help with the safety of her pupils, and take good care of the animals. It is inspiring to see her passion for this endeavor.

There are always new ideas for how to move forward in offering more to the community. Thank you to the 3Cs and to the Coeur d'Alene Rotary for their generous support. They give assurance that our program will continue.

GERRIE VAN VOORHIS

Hayden

PURSE: Nice citizen does the right thing

Humanity prevails! On Oct. 11 around 11:20 a.m., I left my purse in the cart return at Albertsons on Ironwood. Some nice citizen returned it to customer service! Thank you whoever you are! I expected the worst, but got the best!

KATY FREER

Coeur d'Alene

KNIFE: Wife, son of Veteran moved to tears

We received a beautiful Buck Knife and Veterans roses from the Crutchfield's, in honor of my recently passed USMC Vietnam Vet husband, George. What an incredible gesture! My now 17-year-old son and I were moved to tears. Graham is a very good man.

CANDY FORTNER

Nine Mile Falls, Wash.

BOX CITY: Thanks to donors, sponsors participants

Thank you to the participants, organizers, volunteers, sponsors and donors to Cardboard Box City. There were between 50 and 60 people, most of them kids, who came to Lake City Community Church to spend the night outside in a cardboard box Friday, Oct. 11, to bring awareness to the plight of the homeless and help fund Family Promise of North Idaho. These participants gathered pledges and donations in the weeks before they spent the night. We are very grateful to all of them.

The organizers and volunteers spent weeks ahead of time planning and making sure all was in order, were there to set up, register and clean up the next day. Thank you to Ali McCarrel, Teri Burch, Cindy Wood, Daniela Avants, Heather Funk, Christina Heater, Mike Wood, Tim Frahm and April Legard. We are grateful for the judges of the cardboard box events: Steve Bell, Jason Funk and Andy Reinhofer. Our volunteer photographer did a fabulous job capturing the moments of the evening. Thank you to Keli Moran of Keli Moran Photography. The evening was enhanced by musicians Joe Redman and Scott Nunneley with his friends "D.O.G.'s."

Our special donors made sure we had food, cups, plates, utensils and prizes for our participants. A special thanks goes out to Everson's Jewelry, Hayden Discount Cinema, Henry-Griffitts, Pyramid Printing, Randall Henry's Dynamic Golf, Russell Haakinson, Sports Cellar, Panhandle Kiwanis, Chili's Restaurant, Flour Mill Natural Foods, Hayden Ace Hardware, Sweetwater Bakery, TopThis, Costco, Target, Mary Robinette, Mike Irwin and Bill Burch.

Silver Creek Signs donated all the street signs that went into making our "city" come alive. We had two cash sponsors at the Boulevard level: Select Properties and Windermere Coeur d'Alene Realty. There were six cash sponsors at the Avenue level: ACI Northwest, Coeur d'Alene Kiwanis, First Presbyterian Church, Helen Lewerenz Memorial, St. Luke's Episcopal Church and Idaho Independent Bank. The city had streets for seven cash sponsors: Apex Plumbing, bankcda, Borah Elementary PTO, Element Dental and two anonymous donors. We had three courts for these cash sponsors: Tim's Freelance Finance, Silver Creek Signs, John and Joy Richards, and Taylor Made-Hair Design.

It was a fun night with a very real message about the need for shelter for homeless families. Go to FPNI Web page for information and photos www.familypromiseni.org. Thank you all again; you have blessed us for the fifth year of Cardboard Box City. See you next October.

TERI BURCH, Chairman

The Board of Family Promise of North Idaho

RACES: Gratitude for community volunteers, supporters

As the racing season draws to a close for the year I would like to express my gratitude to a community of volunteers and supporters I didn't even know existed.

I participated in three sprint triathlons, a half marathon, and numerous 5K and 10K races this year. To all of the volunteers who plan and execute these races, I'd like to say, "Wow." Thank you for doing an amazing job.

To all of my fellow competitors, thank you for your kindness and words of encouragement.

To the spectators, I had no idea there was such community support for these events. Your presence and encouragement were appreciated more than you know.

To the community at large, thank you for your patience during traffic delays and detours. Thank you for your thoughtfulness in passing me carefully during my training runs and rides.

Lastly, I would like to encourage everyone to participate in or support one of these small community races. I guarantee you will enjoy yourself and leave inspired to do more.

RANEE WOODALL

Coeur d'Alene