Community Thanks August 2, 2015

SUPPORT: Thank you Treaty Rock businesses

When starting 2015 I would of never guessed the trial we were facing. I was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer. Yes, CANCER...It is big, bad, ugly and will try to take over your life, thoughts and body. It tries to take everything from you from your health, dignity and time. It also is a time that God allows us to reflect and see who and what really matters in life. This has been a very tough, difficult road, and I would even say I was at death's door. But, it also has been one of the greatest blessings I have gotten to see in my life.

Yes, we live in a beautiful place filled with God's splendor, lakes, mountains trees. It is called God's Country by many, but we also live in a place that really is God's Country, filled with compassion, love and generosity! We live in the most loving, wonderful community filled with people that care and have so much love for one another. God is good, and never leaves you alone, and has shown His great love through so many of my friends, family and people I have never even met. Our local doctors, nurses, hospitals are top notch in the nation. They have such compassion and really do care for their patients. I don't feel I would of not gotten the quick and fantastic care anywhere else in the world. I wish I could fit in this page every miracle, every wonderful thing so many people have done to stand in a gap when I was at my deepest lows. Which brings me back to our community.

I got a message from Chanda and Mike from Front-line Fitness along with several local businesses at Treaty Rock Plaza, Meineke Tire, Steel Rose Down Draft Brewery and Northern Light Stone Works decided to have their annual fundraiser to benefit the local Boys and Girls Club and me and our family. Wow, I was so humbled and touched that they would do such a sweet gesture of love. I am not used to being the one on the receiving end, it is much more difficult than ever imagined. Giving is much easier and way more fun for me. But I had something God wanted me to see and learn. I don't walk in a store and see strangers anymore, what I see is people we are connected to by God's love for us and in us. I now see everyone has a story and something they will, have or are going through. Receiving has made me grow in ways I never would have imagined.

The love, support from so many wonderful people has changed me forever. I could not believe how many people turned out to the Treaty Rock Fundraiser in support, it was a fabulous fun day filled with olympic games, great music, food, silent auctions that many of my wonderful friends and neighbors made beautiful baskets, paintings, handmade jewelry. I was so touched and emotional seeing what so many people were doing for our little family. Then when the Boys and Girls Club got up to speak, they decided they would rather donate their portion back to me. Wow, the love of this community, showing that we all are connected by the love our Lord Jesus has for each of us, and the love in us. This journey has changed my life forever. I have been made stronger and what the cancer tried to take, I have been given so much more by LOVE! I will be spending the rest of my days showing the same love so many of you have done for us. Which I will need a very long lifetime to be pay forward all I have received. I am thankful, humbled and grateful to you all and I am so proud of our community of Post Falls and Coeur d'Alene, you are amazing! There are not words enough to express my deep appreciation. and thank you Treaty Rock businesses for throwing your fabulous fundraiser every year and making a difference in lives.

Thank you,

CINDY SIMMONS and FAMILY

Post Falls

RACES: Kudos for all the support

On behalf of the Post Falls Chamber & Visitor Center, I want to thank all those who came out to enjoy the Big Back-In Lawnmower Drag Races in downtown Post Falls during the Festival. We appreciate the support of our neighbors, The Presbyterian Church, city of Post Falls, the Jacklin Arts & Cultural Center and Community Connections Inc.

It takes dozens of volunteers and sponsors to bring an event like this to our community at no cost to spectators, so I want to acknowledge those who wrote checks and volunteered. Seright's Ace Hardware, Idaho Central Credit Union, Title Cash, Aaron's, Calvary Lutheran Church, Bridgewater Chiropractic, Centennial Distributing, Marc Kroesch, Christina Petit, Jen Alexander, Bob and Suzanna Spenser, Scot Haug, Warren Merritt, Pat Knight, Steve Isacson, Aaron Jones, Dan Ryan, Ed Delcomte, Ester Silva, Sara and Drew Houser, Stephanie Davenport, Chris and Bethany Atkinson, Kay, Jim and CC Viebrock, Gabriel Valentine, Jason Boni, Rich Houser, Randy Oaks, Deb and Mike Wunderlich, Dani and Al Wolfe, Kerri Thoreson, Jeff Kemp, Carl and Sheryl Lovick, Tami Martinez, Gene Gertson, Alan Langsett, Shelly Enderud, Teresa Benner, Alison McArthur, PFPD, KCFR and the city street department.

PAM HOUSER

President/CEO

Post Falls Chamber