THANKS: For ‘Going Wild’ for Family Promise!

The 9th Annual Wild Salmon Feast to benefit Family Promise of North Idaho took place Feb. 4. It was sponsored by Trinity Lutheran Church and Lutheran Church of the Master in Coeur d’Alene. Nearly 200 people braved “the worst snow storm in 54 years” to enjoy the delicious dinner, featured music, silent and live auctions, and popular dessert auction. Raised in the evening festivities was a net total of $10,078 in support of FPNI’s mission to shelter, feed and provide solutions to families in crisis.

The evening would not have been possible were it not for the grilling mastery of Russell Flamm and Bill Dougherty. Their amazing seasonings and techniques ensured the signature entrée — wild caught salmon from the cold waters of Alaska — was excellent! The chefs were most aptly assisted by Bill Robinette, Craig Leaf and William Dougherty III. Special thanks to the amazing kitchen and bar crew: Wendy Gunderson, Jeff Weiss, Nikki Betts, Sheila Pulver, Shawnee Baughn, Johnny Gaherty, Grant Wood, Teri Venera, Sarah Walker, Rebecca Smith, Darin Payton, Dave Carlson and Andy Clark.

Prize donors and major contributors to be recognized were Coldwell Banker Schneidmiller Realty, Thrivent Financial, Richard and Jill Jurvelin, Trinity Lutheran Church, Capone’s Pub & Grill, A to Z Rental, Pastry & More, Bread Co., Trinity Lutheran Church Women, Dougherty & Associates CPAs, Wealth Management Strategies, Team Leaf — Coldwell Banker Schneidmiller Realty, P1FCU, Papa Murphy’s Pizza, Evelyn Gaherty, Roland and Toby Curtis, Shelby Ronnestad, Center Target Sports, North Idaho Title, Kiwanis Club of Coeur d’Alene, Lutheran Church of the Master, Coeur d’Alene Women’s Club, Maple Street Community Church, Dalton Gardens Church of Christ, St. Luke’s Episcopal, Kay and JoAnn Nelson, Post Falls Parks Department Crew, Marion Keating, Bill and Mary Robinette, Alice DeShazer, North Idaho Quilt Guild, North Idaho Culinary Arts Department, Jill Dougherty, Mary Robinette, Mike Wood, LcM Photography, Brenda Doggett, Jim and Becky Cochran, Tim and Elsie Patrick, Mt. West Bank SBA Dept., Triple Play, Larry and Susan Almeida, Margaret Fedje, Fine Image Photography, Ray Kincheloe, The Well Read Moose, FPNI Board and Teri Burch. Hats off to the set up team of Roland Curtis, Ray Kincheloe, Bob Rehnborg, Dick Jurvelin, Mike Wood, Keith Kidwell, decorating team of Jeanine Kidwell, Sarah, Toby Curtis and Jill Jurvelin. Registration team: Alisha Watson and Lisa Burnett, P1FCU, Mary Robinette, Evelyn Gaherty, Ali Miller, Candise Daniels, Peggy Miller, Donna Heleker and Andrea Paroni.

Finally, I would like to give special praise to the youth of Trinity Lutheran Church who handled waiting tables with good humor and efficiency; Jerry and Terry Fairchild, who provided beautiful music for the evening; LeeAnn Freshour, our talented auctioneer; Cindy Wood with the FPNI Board and staff; and Master of Ceremonies Peter Riggs, who pulled it all together with wit and charm. Finally, hats off to the many individuals who provided scrumptious desserts for the Dessert Auction — which by itself raised more than $3,000!

Thank you to everyone for “going wild” for Family Promise of North Idaho, and giving a “hand up” to families in crisis of homelessness.

JILL DOUGHERTY

Family Promise at Trinity Lutheran Church