3Cs celebrate another year of charity

KAYE THORNBRUGH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 9 months AGO

Back row: Suzi Wong, Linda Pedersen, Barbara Newland, Ann Dare. Front row: Lisa Thomas, Rhonda Newton, Judy Gardner. KAYE THORNBRUGH/Press

COEUR d’ALENE — “We did it again!”

That was the joyful proclamation made after the women of Cancer & Community Charities — better known as the 3Cs — decided which local organizations will receive the funds they’ve raised this year.

The 3Cs will distribute $111,550 at their annual Appreciation Luncheon next month.

2022 marks the group’s 60th anniversary. It formed in 1962 as a women’s bowling league.

“It’s unbelievable that this group of ladies could come up with this and keep it going,” said 3Cs President Rhonda Newton. “Some of these ladies have been in the group for decades.”

Since the group’s inception, the women volunteers have raised and given away approximately $2.5 million to Kootenai County charities. Most of that money was distributed in the last 20 years.

Funds come from a variety of 3Cs sources.

The group collects annual dues — just $25 — and organizes many social groups and activities for which they request a small donation.

“It’s sort of a warm, fuzzy group,” said Judy Gardner.

Their biggest fundraising event of the year, an annual fashion show, raised a whopping $50,000 in May. It was the fashion show’s biggest year ever.

Each year, the 3Cs invite certain charities to apply for funds.

The women pore over the grant applications, then interview each charity in-depth to learn more about the project, as well as how much money is needed and how the charity plans to secure any additional required funds.

This year, the 3Cs received $35,000 more in requests than they had in available funds.

That means the women had to make careful considerations as they hashed out who will receive what.

“You fight for the ones you want,” Gardner said.

Whether they’re raising money or debating how to distribute it, Newton said the 3Cs keep one thing in mind above all — and it’s been instrumental to their decades of success.

“The key word is fun,” she said. “Our ladies are having fun.”

The 3Cs Appreciation Luncheon will be at 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 19. To purchase tickets, contact Ann Dare at dare5628@gmail.com or 417-353-8099.