COEUR d’ALENE — Residents of The Grove Apartments at The Village at Orchard Ridge may not have overflowing bank accounts, says Jill Crocker, but they are rich where it counts: The heart.

“It’s a very loving place,” said the 12-year resident. “It’s your family.”

That family came through for Crocker when she recently collected donations to quench the thirst of those fighting Idaho’s wildfires.

They came up with about $200 to pay for 17 cases of sports drinks. While that might not sound like an awful lot, it is for those in The Grove Apartments, an independent retirement living, HUD-subsidized facility for those over 62 years old.

Every dollar counts, so giving even a few away can mean less of something else — or going without.

“We do not have a lot of money,” Crocker said. “These are low-income senior people.”

Crocker was joined by fellow residents Ellen Sebulsky and Vern Westgate when they delivered bottled drinks to the Idaho Department of Lands fire cache on Industrial Loop on a hot, smoky afternoon. The drinks will go to firefighters trying to tame blazes in regional forests, where they're facing difficult conditions.

“I think it means the world for us,” said Bjorn Jordan, IDL fire cache manager.

Jordan said people have been generous this year, in a time when donations are needed perhaps more than ever due to the dry summer that's resulted in millions of acres of forest land burning around the world.

“It’s Idahoans coming together, helping out in a time of need,” he said.

Sebulsky was glad to pitch in. She's been a resident at The Grove for four years and said it’s a place where folks look after each other. If someone isn't feeling well, others respond.

“Quite often somebody will reach out,” Sebulsky said.

Crocker said after she heard about the need to provide bottled water and sports drinks for firefighters, she set a donation bucket out near the receptionist area.

It quickly filled.

“We just put that out there and people would just drop money in," Crocker said.

They got a good deal, too, she said, explaining one case was free.

“See, we’re thrifty,” Crocker said, smiling.

No surprise to Westgate, joined by dog Danny.

“Chronic do-gooders,” he said, laughing. “I call it Geezerville."

He said Crocker knocked on his door seeking contributions to the fund.

“She knows a pigeon when she sees one,” he said. "They just know if they need help, I’ll give them help. If they need advice, I’ll give them advice. Most of them want help. They don’t want advice.”

Crocker said many at The Grove are without cars or family in the area, but they have a desire to contribute to their community and have an impact. They can do that by giving.

“I’m proud of our people,” she added. “They’ve done a fantastic job."

“Isn’t it amazing what we can do?"