COEUR d'ALENE — The Salvation Army Kroc Center’s annual Flannel Fest Gala took place Nov. 9 and raised $185,000 for the center’s outreach programs. 

The sold out event was at the Best Western Plus Coeur d’Alene Inn.

“Many people know The Kroc Center as a gym, or a pool or a community center,” said Major Don Gilger, The Kroc Center’s corps officer and CEO, in a news release. “But, The Kroc Center is so much more than a community center. Through numerous community outreach programs like youth and family mental health services, teaching third graders to swim, and providing food for local food banks, The Kroc Center meets critical needs of the community and impacts one in three people in Kootenai County.”

Without support from the community, these outreach programs would not happen and would leave significant community needs unmet, said the center's announcement of the fundraiser's success. 

The Ray and Joan Kroc Endowment and Kroc membership cover all the center’s operating expenses, which means all donations to the Kroc Center are fully allocated to local community programming. 

“The Kroc Center thanks the many generous businesses and donors in the community who contributed to Flannel Fest 2023,” the release said. “Each one has truly made an impact by supporting The Salvation Army Kroc Center’s Community Outreach programs.”