COEUR d’ALENE — Gary Schneidmiller was humbled when he received the first Nonprofit Supporter Award from the Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber on Tuesday morning.

“This is awfully nice,” Schneidmiller said with a laugh. “I wish the Chamber would have just saved the money!”

Chamber members, however, saw plenty of reasons to give Schneidmiller the award.

Coldwell Banker Schneidmiller Realty has been contributing to North Idaho nonprofits for over 50 years, according to Nonprofit Subcommittee Awards Chairman Richard Dance.

The real estate agency recently made a $10,000 donation to Homes of Hope and frequently contributes through monetary and volunteer efforts to Hospice of North Idaho, Lake City Playhouse, CASA and food banks.

Coldwell Banker Schneidmiller Realty contributes an estimated $100,000 a year to nonprofits, Dance added.

“Coldwell Banker Schneidmiller Realty and Gary Schneidmiller lead by example and then challenge their agents to follow suit in a variety of ways,” Dance said. “They are very worthy of the Chamber of Commerce nonprofit committee’s first award for support of nonprofit organizations."

Schneidmiller was presented with a commemorative trophy by members of the chamber's Nonprofit Subcommittee at his office on Northwest Boulevard.

“I don’t need the recognition, but I appreciate it,” Schneidmiller said. “I try to lead by example.”