COEUR d’ALENE — “Ask not what your community can do for you,” said Rhonda Newton, president of the Cancer & Community Charities group. “Ask instead what you can do for your community.”

The 3Cs definitely know a few things about community support.

To date the group has raised over $2.3 million for local charities, including the $103,000 raised this year.

That money went to 27 local charities Tuesday at the annual Appreciation Luncheon held at the Coeur d’Alene Resort.

Nonprofits of all kinds were represented.

Among them was the Out of the Shadows Theater group.

The organization connects special-needs actors to a creative theater experience. One production is performed yearly at the Kroc Center. This October, the group is performing "Bye-Bye Birdie."

Board members Janet Waterdown, Carolyn Gorolopoulos and Suzanne Knutson were excited their organization was among those receiving funds.

“The actors get a lot out of the experience,” said Waterdown. “But the volunteers get even more.”

Each of their 37 performers is paired with a “shadow person,” a volunteer dressed in all black so they fade into the background.

The shadow person provides support for performers during the show.

If an actor forgets a line, it's whispered to them. If they need mobility assistance, their shadow person is there to help.

“We work with an entire range of disabilities,” Waterdown said. “Everything from actors who are non-verbal to actors who use wheelchairs.”

Describing the process of applying for 3Cs funding, Terri Johnson, representing Tesh, Inc., said she was responsible for presenting her organization’s project to the 3Cs team.

“I just cannot say enough about the 3Cs women,” she said. “They just make you smile.”

The 3Cs was founded in 1962 by Ellen Walden, which means that in 2022 they will celebrate their 60th anniversary.

“We don’t know what we’re going to do to celebrate yet,” said Newton. “But whatever it is, it’s going to be a lot of fun and it’s going to be amazing!”

Walden had a driving passion to raise funds for local people, Newton said. That passion carries on to this day.

Originally a small bowling team that was dedicated to raising money for a friend with cancer, the group has grown to about 600 members.

Part of the 3Cs fundraising approach is offering about 20 individual social groups that members participate in regularly.

Large events like the annual golf tournament and fashion show support the philanthropic enterprise on a grand scale but the smaller contributions add up as well.

Activities range from book clubs and bunko groups to sewing and singing.

Regardless of the activity, the 3Cs say having fun is the most important prerequisite.