COEUR d'ALENE — Gary Schneidmiller remembers when he was in junior high, his parents would dash from the dinner table to attend community board meetings.

"I said to Mom, 'When I grow up, I'm never going to get involved in the community and go to all of those meetings,'" he said. "She smiled at me and said, 'We'll see.' That, with my mom speaking, meant 'Oh, yes you will.'"

Schneidmiller, who didn't live up to his word as a youth too well, founded and owns Coldwell Banker Schneidmiller Realty of Coeur d'Alene. He’s a regular contributor to local charities and has volunteered with several organizations.

His commitment to the community was recognized on Thursday when he was named Distinguished Citizen of the Year during the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce's 104th annual meeting, attended by 256 people at the Best Western Plus Coeur d'Alene Inn.

Schneidmiller’s latest donation was last month's $1 million gift to Hospice of North Idaho in honor of his late parents, Gladys and Mannie, who left a legacy of giving of their time and resources.

It’s the largest single donation in HNI’s 35-year history.

"My parents both felt strongly that good citizenship is not a choice, but an opportunity or requirement," he said. "Good citizenship is truly a responsibility."

Duane B. Hagadone, chairman of the Hagadone Corp. who received the award last year with his wife, Lola, presented the award to Schneidmiller.

"He has spent endless hours of volunteer time in the community," Hagadone said of Schneidmiller. "His many business projects have improved the quality of life in our area."

Before Schneidmiller stepped off the stage, Hagadone issued a tongue-in-cheek challenge to his friend.

"You may be thinking you won this award and you can relax and retire," Hagadone told Schneidmiller. "Last year I received the award for the second time; the first time was in 1988. I kept going. I'm the only one (who has received the award twice), and I'm kind of lonesome. My challenge is that you can't quit for the next 25 years. You've got to keep going."

Schneidmiller's other recent donations included $50,000 at last year's annual chamber meeting to jumpstart the nonprofit's capital campaign to retire debt on its building.

Schneidmiller, who was inducted into the Idaho Hall of Fame last year, serves on the board of Jobs Plus, Inc., the area's economic development corporation, as well as the Washington State University Foundation board. He’s also involved with the Schneidmiller Family Foundation, which supports educational opportunities for others.

The Schneidmillers’ land donations for economic development efforts include the site that Kootenai Health owns in Post Falls and the property formerly occupied by Harper’s and Kimball Office and now hardware product distributor Orgill.

Also Thursday, Karen Lynch received the Ed Abbott Volunteer of the Year award. She is involved with Chicks and Chaps, the North Idaho College Athletic Booster Club, the chamber of commerce's Commodores program and was last year’s chamber of commerce auction chairwoman.

In addition, through her work at Allegra Marketing-Print-Mail, she has the Footprints Fund marketing program that includes more than 20 local nonprofits.

"She attends many chamber functions and is always ready with a smile and a helping hand, providing excellent advice and support," said Mike Ward, last year's volunteer award winner.

The Leadership Committee, which rolled out a new advanced leadership program, was named the Committee of the Year.

Dave Bobbitt, chairman and CEO of Community 1st Bank, is taking over for Jim Pierce as chairman of the chamber of commerce board.

"Our role as a chamber is, and will continue to be, one of collaboration and connectivity," Bobbitt said. "I've seen the power of good people and businesses working together to make a community better."

Luke Russell, vice president of external affairs for Hecla Mining Company, which is celebrating its 125th year in business this year, delivered the keynote address. Russell reflected on the company's history, which began with a mine in Burke outside of Wallace in 1891.

Hecla, the largest primary silver producer in the country, recently completed its No. 4 shaft that's nearly 2 miles below the surface at the Lucky Friday Mine near Mullan.

Looking ahead, Hecla is testing battery-powered equipment because it doesn't generate heat. The company also is exploring mechanical mining methods to eliminate drilling and blasting for a safer environment.

"Our Lucky Friday Mine is in its 74th year and it may reach 100 years," Russell said. "Only a handful in history have lasted that long."