COEUR d'ALENE — Philanthropists don't need to be rich to give back to their communities.

"It doesn't take money," Rita Case said Thursday evening. "All a philanthropist has to have is passion for a project, enthusiasm, share that enthusiasm and you'll create dollars.

"You don't have to be wealthy or have a lot of extra money to give away to really make a difference," she said.

Case, president and CEO of the Rick Case Automotive Group and a longtime Women's Gift Alliance member, delivered the keynote speech during the Women's Gift Alliance's annual dinner and speaker event at the Hagadone Event Center.

At more than 280 registered guests, the event welcomed its largest crowd to date as Case discussed the spark that ignited her philanthropic spirit, her journey of giving and how her path led her to open 17 Boys and Girls Clubs and teen centers in the Fort Lauderdale area where the Cases grew their auto empire. She was also instrumental in opening the Lola and Duane Hagadone Boys and Girls Club in Coeur d'Alene.

From giving away bicycles and warm coats to new shoes and more, Rita Case's passion for children and helping them succeed is evident in her philanthropic ventures. A big push for her has always been to ensure kids will make it from one grade to the next.

"Education is the greatest gift you can give anyone at any age," Case said. "Once it's given, you can never take it away. And education was the only way these kids were going to have that key to open the door for opportunity."

Concluding her speech, she shared a story about a pig and a cow.

"The pig was really unpopular and the cow was beloved," she said.

This puzzled the pig, which acknowledged how people spoke highly of the cow because it shared its milk and cream every day.

"'But what about me? I give bacon, I give ham, I give bristles for your brushes. They even pickle my feet. Why, cow, am I so unpopular?'" Case said. "And the cow stopped for a moment thoughtfully and then he replied, 'Maybe it's because I give while I'm still living.'"

Founded in 2004 by women who wanted to help other women develop skillsets steeped in giving, the Women’s Gift Alliance of Kootenai County has awarded over $1,759,542 to Kootenai County nonprofits since 2005.

The giving continued when it was announced that four organizations that are previous WGA grant recipients were randomly selected to receive $5,000 surprise grants.

"Our board wanted to do something special to recognize the significant milestone of 20 years of grant giving," WGA Grant Committee Co-Chair Allie Lee said.

Those nonprofits were: Idaho Drug Free Youth, Kootenai County Volunteer Search and Rescue, Safe Start and Family Promise.

Visit womensgiftalliance.org for more about the Women's Gift Alliance.

    Kootenai County Search and Rescue volunteer Korrei Kruger smiles at Chris Quinn, Women's Gift Alliance Grant Committee co-chair, after the announcement of a $5,000 grant Thursday evening at the Hagadone Event Center. Search and Rescue was one of four organizations to receive a surprise grant.

    Rita Case visits with James Casper of Habitat for Humanity and others during a VIP reception Thursday at the Hagadone Event Center.
  

  

 

    Heather Erikson laughs as Women's Gift Alliance member Susie Prince hands out goodie bags Thursday during the philanthropic nonprofit's annual dinner and speaker event at the Hagadone Event Center.