COEUR d'ALENE - The Women's Gift Alliance announced the winners of its 2014 grants Thursday evening, bestowing large sums upon four local entities.

On Site For Seniors and Children's Village nonprofits both received pooled $27,250 grants for their various projects.

"What do you say to somebody that is giving you $27,000?" nurse practitioner Lynda Arnold asked during her acceptance speech. "'Thank you' is way too small. It's like you want to go out and give big sloppy kisses to everybody because it's going to do so much for the people we serve."

Arnold, a wound-care specialist for On Site for Seniors, explained that the grant money will be used to expand telemedicine. Telemedicine provides a kit with supplies such as a camera with laser measuring capabilities, a laptop, an EKG and stethoscope so physicians in the homes of patients can communicate with specialists who may be in distant locations. On Site for Seniors serves elderly and disabled adults who have limited access to care outside the home.

Children's Village executive director Julie Lockhart accepted the grant on behalf of the organization. The plans for its funds is to purchase a van through the "Wheels on the Van Go Round and Round" campaign.

"We are honored and grateful to be one of the recipients of your major gifts," Lockhart said. She said the van will be a way for the kids to go on "many, many adventures, some fun and some not so fun," such as doctor appointments and camping trips.

"You are serving the needs of members of our community. Small members of our community," she said. "And their needs are great. Their needs are many."

The goal of Children's Village is to care for, advocate and provide a safe and loving home for children who are in difficult or dangerous living situations.

Farragut State Park and Tesh Inc. received unrestricted $2,500 grants. Farragut's grant will go to enhancing the Museum at the Brig while Tesh Inc. will use its grant funds to supplement its transition into employment project for special needs students.

"The goals of our grants are to create a bold new venture, address a significant community need, foster collaboration for partnerships and enrich the fabric of our community," said Women's Gift Alliance president Janet Robnett. "All of the grant finalists really epitomize those goals."

Robnett said a goal for the philanthropic organization is to have even more grant applicants next year.

The total grant amount gifted during the event was $59,500.