Breakfast of champions
BILL BULEY | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years AGO
Bill Buley covers the city of Coeur d'Alene for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He has worked here since January 2020, after spending seven years on Kauai as editor-in-chief of The Garden Island newspaper. He enjoys running. | December 24, 2022 1:06 AM
COEUR d’ALENE — Winton Elementary students have been learning about generosity and selflessness.
Friday morning, more than 700 colorful cereal boxes snaked around the gym floor to prove they've not only been listening, but taking action, too.
"I have an amazing group of kids with very giving hearts," said kindergarten teacher Danielle Henriquez.
Her class brought in 159 cereal boxes to claim first place in the school's December cereal drive.
It was a narrow margin of victory.
Second place went to Sandy Brixen's second-grade class with 147 boxes of cereal.
Both classes will enjoy a pizza party for their efforts.
First grade teacher Taylor Malinauskas and her students were third with 82 boxes.
All told, 755 boxes will go to the Community Action Partnership Food Bank.
They easily beat last year's 550 boxes.
School counselor Bri Birdsall praised the students.
"When you look around this room, do you see generosity?" she asked
"Yes," the students shouted.
They chanted "Winton Wolves" as boxes of Cheerios, Corn Flakes, Raisin Bran, Lucky Charms and more toppled over, in domino fashion.
Birdsall said students rallied to the cause and brought in cereal daily. They received about 70 boxes from Super 1 Foods in Coeur d'Alene and Hayden.
Parents and grandparents pitched in.
"My kids just brought in a little bit more every day," said Henriquez, who did her part, as well.
Friday morning, before the assembly, she made a last-minute stop and bought 20 boxes of cereal.
It proved to be the difference.
"It was really close," Henriquez said, smiling.
ARTICLES BY BILL BULEY
Companions Animal Center has adopted out nearly 2,000 dogs, cats in 2025
Companions Animal Center has adopted out nearly 2,000 dogs, cats in 2025
As if to prove it, signs on two kennel doors proclaim “I have been adopted! I’m currently waiting to be picked up by my new parents.” One is a timid black mastiff. But the shelter remains crowded. Monday, it has about 50 large dogs filling kennels, including in the new wing oped this year, and there is still a four-month waiting list with names of about 80 dogs that people are looking to surrender pets.
Post Falls man named director of ministry with global reach
Post Falls man named director of ministry with global reach
Grassi, a longtime hunter and fisherman, started what was originally called “Let’s Go Fishing Ministry, Inc.” with a focus on outdoors, men and God. It was later changed to “Men’s Ministry Catalyst." The emphasis was on helping men understand their role as defined in the Bible.
Nonprofit foundation helps family become homeowners for first time
Nonprofit foundation helps family become homeowners for first time
The Young Family’s Foundation launched about a year ago with a mission "to empower young, hardworking families to achieve the dream of home ownership. Even if a family saved $25,000, they would still be $19,000 short of the down payment needed to buy a $550,000 home, which is the median price in Kootenai County. It’s estimated that only about 20% of area households can afford to buy a home.