COEUR d'ALENE — A curious canine, a touch of romance and music that warmed the heart made for a special luncheon Friday as members of the Cancer and Community Charities organization distributed $115,000 to 29 local nonprofits.

More than 160 members and grant recipients gathered at the Best Western Plus Coeur d'Alene Inn to celebrate a joyful day of giving during the annual Appreciation Lunch.

"This event is the cherry on top of the sundae for 3Cs," President Judy Gardner said. "We play all year, and this is where the money goes out to the nonprofits that need it to help our community."

Dick Gardner stole a kiss from the 3Cs president — who happens to be his wife — as he accepted a check on behalf of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

"I did that some years ago and the people really gasped," he said with a grin. 

Dick Gardner has been an Elks member for 40 years and is a past trustee. He said the 3Cs funds will be used to buy dictionaries for Kootenai County third graders. 

"The Elks does a lot nationwide," he said. "They've been around for over 100 years."

Another heart-melting moment occurred as Idaho Disaster Dogs canine handler Morgan Zajicek and Eagle, a 2-year-old chocolate Lab, stepped onto the stage to accept their grant funds. Not missing anything that happens in her surroundings, Eagle spotted a Press photographer and promptly inspected the lens with her snout, which made for a good laugh all around.

Eagle is one of two dogs on the team that have been trained to find human remains.

"She just passed her test a month ago," said Zajicek, who is also a firefighter and paramedic with the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department.

The cadaver dogs work alongside four other "live find" dogs, which are trained to find survivors when disasters strike.

"The grant money is going to go toward the next canine on the team," Idaho Disaster Dogs program coordinator and Coeur d'Alene firefighter Cody Moore said. "We have multiple dogs retiring right now, so this will be one of the replacement canines, so we can continue to offer the service."

This was the first year Idaho Disaster Dogs received a grant from the 3Cs during the annual funds distribution.

"It's incredible," Moore said. "This organization is amazing. They do so much good work. We feel blessed and honored to receive a grant from them."

With a mission steeped in philanthropy, 3Cs members raise money throughout the year by paying dues and participating in a number of activity groups, including the Coeur d'Aleers singing group, which provided the entertainment for this year's luncheon.

Info: 3cscda.com

    Rebecca Memmer, right, shakes hands Friday with Cancer and Community Charities President Judy Gardner as she accepts a grant check on behalf of Coeur Community Closet.
  

    Dick Gardner steals a sweet kiss from his wife, 3Cs President Judy Gardner, on Friday during the annual Appreciation Lunch at the Best Western Plus Coeur d'Alene Inn.
  

    Sheila Wayman leads the Coeur d’Aleers in a performance Friday during the 3Cs Appreciation Lunch at the Best Western Plus Coeur d'Alene Inn.
  

    Eagle, a curious canine and Idaho Disaster Dog, brings laughter to the room Friday as she inspects the Coeur d'Alene Press camera.
  

    Nearly 30 Kootenai County nonprofits were awarded a portion of $115,000 in grant funding Friday during the Cancer and Community Charities Appreciation Lunch.