SANDPOINT — The fluttering petals beyond the window could have been snowflakes and the brick-walled conference room, a cozy hearth. The spirit of giving, normally reserved for the holidays, pervaded the room like a fleece blanket, holding each person present within a collective cocoon that inspired and united them with goodwill.

It was Christmas in May Wednesday morning, otherwise known as the annual Community Assistance League's grant awards ceremony. Good deed doers from throughout Bonner County assembled to accept the gifts they would pass on to others, expanding the spirit of sharing exponentially.

This year, CAL had $105,000 to distribute in grants and scholarships, every penny of which came from sales at Bizarre Bazaar, an upscale second-hand shop at 502 Church St. in Sandpoint. CAL volunteers staff the store, which sells donated items.

Those volunteers were on hand in the Columbia Bank Building conference room Wednesday to help distribute CAL checks to grantees. To be eligible for grant consideration, organizations must be non-profit and must use the funds to benefit Bonner County residents. The idea to be funded must have a significant community impact, according to CAL.

This year's recipients ranged from the Bonner County Fair and Rodeo Association to Underground Kindness, an organization teaching empowerment strategies in the schools. Some attendees came from as far away as Priest River while others walked across the street. The thread that connected them all was their desire to pass their grants forward to help others.

Bonner County Hospice received funding for its 17th annual Grief Camp for children who have lost loved ones. The Priest Lake Food Bank earmarked its check for the purchase of a truck canopy for transporting food to community members in need. Love Inc. planned to trade its grant for shoe vouchers so children in low-income households can get new shoes for back to school.

"Last year, we ran out of vouchers but people were still calling, needing shoes for their kids," said Jan Linker, who represented the organization.

The Festival at Sandpoint received a grant for its Fifth-Grade Outreach program. According to Festival CEO Dyno Wahl, the organization brings performance ensembles to classrooms throughout the Lake Pend Oreille School District to familiarize fifth-graders with the instruments and the music. It also helps sixth-graders purchase instruments for band.

The Sandpoint Lions Club planned to put its grant toward eye and hearing tests for grade school students, according to club representative David Bannister. Survivors Rescue Inc., a horse rehab and sanctuary, designated its CAL grant to establish a hands-on program for Lake Pend Oreille High School students. Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper received a grant that executive director Shannon Williamson said would help fund Watershed Discovery Camp scholarships for kids.

The Eureka Institute earmarked its grant money for its teen construction program. Participants will build SPOT bus stops this summer, according to executive director Steve Holt. Bonner County Justice Services will put its CAL grant towards the Summer Adventure Camp it runs with the help of Sandpoint West Athletic Club, said BCJS director Ron Stultz.

All these outreach projects comprised just a fraction of the wealth changing hands at the annual CAL giving event. From those donating lightly used treasures to Bizarre Bazaar to those making purchases, from the hands of CAL volunteers to the many hands running those worthy organizations, and finally flowing to the individuals who need help the most, CAL grants exemplify the greatest strength of the Sandpoint community: a caring spirit.