SANDPOINT — Surrounded by a bouncy house, cotton candy, a pool full of rubber ducks, and kids running all around, officials and volunteers at Idaho Panhandle Habitat for Humanity welcomed more than 30 families to its inaugural ReStore Summer Carnival.  

The goal of the summer event, held Saturday, Aug. 1, outside of bringing affordable family fun to the community, centered around increasing awareness of the nonprofit’s mission while introducing people to the resale store that offers home improvement materials that were donated by individuals or businesses in the community.  

IPHFH, an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, seeks to put God’s love into action, bringing people together to build homes, community and hope, Habitat officials said. 

The Christian nonprofit aims to establish affordable and decent housing for the community.  

“Idaho Panhandle Habitat for Humanity is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions,” officials said.  

During the event, attendees got to partake in a variety of activities, including playing in a bouncy house, a ducky pond prize activity and a ReStore scavenger hunt, along with enjoying an assortment of drinks, hot dogs and cotton candy 

Proceeds made from the carnival will go toward building two homes behind Farmin Stidwell Elementary in Sandpoint, all a part of the initiative that all people deserve an affordable and safe home.  

“What we really want to do is to create quality homes that we know that most of the family stays there. So, as they age, we want them to be able to age in place,” IPHFH Executive Director Robin Rawlings said. “We just want them to have a good quality home.”   

Rawlings said the carnival was a success for the organization, and that plans for next year’s event are in the works.  

In September, the nonprofit will be hosting a “Keys for Homes” benefit concert at the Panida, featuring concert pianist Jim-Isaac Chua. Information about upcoming events can be found at https://bit.ly/4q2wASI. 

    A kid eating cotton candy during the IPHFH summer carnival
  

    Two IPHFH volunteers stand at a Lotus booth, ready to make specialty energy drinks for summer carnival attendees