With the celebration of Christmas and Hanukkah both this weekend is seems appropriate to address the spirit of giving. Your Coeur d’Alene Association of Realtors members have been out ringing bells for the Salvation Army, donating gifts to the elderly and indigent and volunteering in ways we hope will make all our North Idaho communities a better place for all.

Here are some of the contributions — other than labor — we made this year;

Most recently we sent emissaries out to our local brokerages to “Dash for Cash.” These brave souls were accosting member peers in their offices, parking lots and probably at closings begging for spare change. As a result we were able to donate $1,184.50 each to Post Falls Food Bank, Community Action Partnership (Coeur d’Alene) and Shoshone Food Banks for a total donation of $3,553.50.

Each summer we conduct a charity golf tournament where all competitors join in to raise funds. Title companies, insurers, lenders, inspectors and Realtors from competing offices join in and have fun for the sake of a deserving local group. This year’s beneficiary was the Boys and Girls Club. Not only did it receive $7,268.03 as proceeds from the golf tournament we gifted it a complete computer lab with PCs, peripherals and tables. Speaking of golf, we also participated as a hole sponsor at the Kootenai Police and Fire Memorial golf tournament. That organization benefited from our tournament last year.

Prior to the golf tournament our Community Outreach committee staged a bowl-a-thon raising $1,291.52 in donations for the worthwhile cause of the Boys and Girls Club so as far as causes go, the Boy and Girls Club was our largest beneficiary this year.

In honor of Sgt. Greg Moore and all our police during Police Week, our members provided 7,700 blue light bulbs to our community. This “Paint the Town Blue” effort was the first of its kind, but the effects can still be noticed in many neighborhoods where the blue outside lights shine brightly as a constant reminder of the sacrifices of our police forces throughout the nation.

Again this year we showed our “souport” to help St. Vincent de Paul raise money to aid in its effort to end homelessness. Our sponsorship yielded $500 toward that goal. Other events incidental to Realtors are viewed as opportunities to help. At our quarterly meeting earlier this month, we collected toys from members who attended our sold out events. In addition to the toys, we presented Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) with a check for $250.

Other $100 donations were made to Safe Passage Violence Prevention Center for victims of family violence and to the North Idaho Trail Foundation for development and maintenance of our unequaled trail system here.

In response to Coeur d’Alene Mayor Steve Widmyer, we reached out to our membership for $27 donations to help fund the memorial fountain to honor those fallen in the line of duty as peace officers. Named the K27 challenge in honor of Sgt. Greg Moore, these $27 donations amounted to $4,615 to the city of Coeur d’Alene for the memorial.

Just as you do, we look for opportunities to help in our North Idaho communities. This holiday season gives us the opportunity to reflect and remind our Realtor members and the members of those communities that we are one in need and have the power to make a positive difference.

No matter what holiday you celebrate, have a wonderful time. Until next year.

Kim Cooper is a real estate broker and the spokesman for the Coeur d’Alene Association of Realtors. Kim and the association invite your feedback and input for this column. You may contact them by writing to the Coeur d’Alene Association of Realtors, 409 W. Neider, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815 or by calling (208) 667-0664.