COEUR d'ALENE — The 40th year turned out to be the finest.

Hospice of North Idaho hosted a successful sold-out soirée Feb. 1, raising an all-time best of more than $276,000 at the 40th annual Wine Taste and Auction at The Coeur d'Alene Resort. 

"It’s a new record for us," Hospice of North Idaho Executive Director Eric Ladwig said Thursday. "We’ve never hit that number before. It was amazing."

More than $60,000 of that came from a paddle raise, which Ladwig said was successful thanks to "a beautiful match from the Grace Surrounds Us Foundation." The paddle raise funds will support the nonprofit's community bereavement programs.

"These are programs we don’t get any reimbursement from Medicare for," Ladwig said. "There's no mechanism for reimbursement other than community support."

The annual event has seen increasing support year over year. Last year's event raised nearly $270,000 for Hospice of North Idaho, which has been providing end-of-life care and support services for the community for 44 years.

"What we have in our community is so unique in our state," Ladwig said. "It's truly the way that it is because of the community that we're a part of. There are no hospices like we have in Coeur d'Alene because of the community support."

Counting volunteers, attendees and sponsors, well over 400 people gathered for "The Secret Garden"-inspired evening, which had a theme of "Life in Full Bloom" and featured handmade flowers, lush greenery and elegant sounds of violin, flute and cello.

"It sold out three days before the event," Ladwig said. "We had people calling and asking if they could get tickets still. We ended up releasing a couple handfuls of tickets to help people get in."

A highlight of the evening was the heartwarming introduction of a new furry friend to the Hospice of North Idaho family. Shawna Cauley, Hospice of North Idaho's director of nursing, won the bid on an English Cream Labrador puppy named Daisy. Daisy had already captured the hearts of many staff members during her multiple visits prior to the event, as her foster mom, Shari Sugimura, had been caring for her for three weeks. Now, Daisy is officially part of the Hospice of North Idaho family, bringing joy and comfort to all.  

Ladwig said Gary Schneidmiller and his team at Coldwell Banker Schneidmiller Realty of Coeur d'Alene have long been huge supporters of Hospice of North Idaho.

He gave a shoutout to everyone who attended, sponsored and donated to the event, including vendors who donated food and wine and the guests who opened their pocketbooks.

"There are so many people who give for this event," Ladwig said. "In the end, it turns into a gift for the community for anyone who needs it."

    Hospice of North Idaho Executive Director Eric Ladwig wins over hearts Feb. 1 with puppy Daisy at the nonprofit's 40th annual Wine Taste and Auction, which raised a record amount of more than $276,000.
  

    The 40th annual Wine Taste and Auction, "Life in Full Bloom," raised more than $276,000 for Hospice of North Idaho.