COEUR d'ALENE — The first school week back from winter break is annually dedicated to practicing cheers, decorating hallways and preparing for the Coeur d'Alene-Lake City high school Fight for the Fish spirit competition and basketball games.

When the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily upended the tradition in 2020 and 2021, the Timberwolves and the Vikings came together to start a new tradition of kindness, collaboration and community service: All for Awl.

"It's awesome," Coeur d'Alene High School ASB President Payton Conn said Wednesday. "I think that's the best part about All for Awl — after such an intense event, Fight for the Fish, it's good to see the communities come together, be united and giving back. It's good to give back, that's the heart and soul of this event."

Students at each high school have been working with local businesses and organizations to conduct food, blanket and hygiene drives to provide for community members in need.

"We've got around 400 pounds of food alone, lots of infant clothes as you can see, which is awesome," Payton said, sharing some of the work of Coeur d'Alene's student body. "Half of the food will be for Canopy Village, the other half is for our counseling center for the kids who need meals for the weekend."

Lake City gathered nearly 200 blankets, many of which were donated by Tesh, Inc. Junior Emerson Rakes served as chair of the school's clothing drive.

"Five to seven boxes and bags of clothes were collected, and they're all going to go to local donation centers," she said.

She said obviously the two schools are rivals during Fight for the Fish season, but All for Awl brings them together for a greater good.

"It's really cool at the end of the month we can all be a community instead of two basketball teams," she said.

Grace Ford, a Lake City junior, was the chair of the school's family needs drive that will support Safe Passage with items such as baby supplies, coloring books, crayons blankets, towels, jackets and more.

She said she felt excited when she walked into the Coeur d'Alene High entryway and saw all the items students had collected.

"I didn't even know about this last year," she said. "When I learned about it, I just wanted to step it up."

Coeur d'Alene High freshman class treasurer Alex Siegler was pleased to see his classmates work so closely with Lake City students for many good causes.

"It's a good opportunity to make donations," he said. "It's just a really unique event. Giving back to community is a good thing. We should normalize it and do it more often."

    Lake City High junior Andy Everson, left, and senior Luke Neary load up items to be delivered Wednesday during the collaborative Coeur d'Alene-Lake City All for Awl distribution day. Students at both schools spent weeks collecting donations that will support local people in need.
  

    Coeur d'Alene High senior Chief Allan carries the last of the canned goods to be donated to local food banks Wednesday during the Coeur d'Alene and Lake City high school All for Awl distribution day.