COEUR d’ALENE — Cancer & Community Charities, better known as the 3Cs, is at it again. It’s the time of year when the numbers are crunched, dollars are counted and charities carefully considered.

This year they added $103,000 to the $2.3 million the group has donated so far.

Gathering together Friday morning, nine members made the final decisions about the funds they’ve spent the year raising.

“This is quite the process. We start at nine o’clock in the morning, we whittle through (the information),” said Rhonda Newton, the nonprofit's president. “Every one of our members has met with a representative from each one of the charities.”

The team does in-depth research and decisions are not lightly made.

“We have sat down with them and talked about what the specific project is and how much the total cost of the project is,” Newton said. “Not just the amount they are asking us for, but how they will secure the rest of the funds and if they don’t get all the needed funds, what else they can use the money for.”

The 3Cs check back in with each recipient and verify that they have used the donated funds for the projects intended.

Not your average fundraising group, the official 3Cs website says, “If you’re not having fun you’re doing it wrong.” And they live (and play) by that motto.

Going about fundraising in a most unusual way, the 3Cs have numerous small social groups that members participate in: Book clubs, bowling, bridge and bunco groups; the singing Coeur d’Aleers and the Crafty Crew; sewing items for sale on Etsy, and more.

“We’re a very unique group. 3Cs is kind of an umbrella group and under that, we have 12 or 13 social groups,” said member Judy Gardner. “All these groups meet throughout the year.”

Offering an array of pleasant social events, small contributions are made beyond the cost of the activity. Five dollars here, twenty dollars there, and the funds add up in a big way.

The 3Cs also host big events like an annual fashion show, a golf tournament and fundraising dinners.

On Aug. 13 they'll host a dinner concert at the Best Western Plus Coeur d’Alene Inn. The event features the Kelly Hughes Band, raffles and auction opportunities, dancing and food. The event begins at 5:30 p.m.

“Our focus is on cancer charities, and women and children in crisis,” Gardner said. “It started 60 years ago with a bunch of ladies that were bowlers; one of their ladies got cancer and they started to raise money for her treatment.”

The charity received nonprofit status in 1975.

Nearly 600 members strong, they require a modest $20 membership fee to join. Smaller group activities require nominal fees as well.

The 3Cs welcomes women interested in making new friends and developing personal interests while supporting charity causes at the same time.

More info: ccc-northidaho.org