Donor could gift Panhandle Special Needs with $15,000

Community match needed for group to secure award

SANDPOINT - An anonymous donor will gift Panhandle Special Needs with a $15,000 donation.

The contribution comes with a caveat, however.

It will need to be matched by contributions from the community, said Lois Miller, a member of the Women's Circle group that has rallied behind PSNI.

“That's really exciting,” said Miller.

Through the women's efforts, PSNI's kitchen, bathroom and entryway were remodeled by Sullivan Homes and other contractors through KXLY's home makeover series.

Other contributions also allowed PSNI to expand its workspace this winter. That once gloomy space used to fill contract work such as creating fire starters for Lignetics is now a large and light-filled area.

In fact since PSNI now has a larger workspace, it is looking to fill contracts for other businesses, said manager Jean Post.

The Women's Circle has accomplished almost all of what it set out to do regarding remodeling and adding onto the building. However, about $30,000 worth of work still needs to be done in the facility's main space, Miller said.

Although the open space serves many functions - staff offices, client training, lunchroom and walk through to the workshop and other offices - it functions very poorly.

The structure's cinder block walls, thinly carpeted floor that covers a cement floor, high ceiling and open design create a noisy, poorly-lit setting that is distracting and lacks privacy.

The poor lighting contributes to clients having seizures and Miller worries about them hitting their heads on the concrete floor.

PSNI's desks are second-hand and not designed to facilitate teachers training its disabled clients.

The high ceiling only compounds noise - another detractor to clients being taught skills to either assimilate into the community's workforce or learning to manage basic living skills.

The additional funds would be used to drop the building's ceiling and heating, plus purchase furnishings to create a functional space.

Miller said she and PSNI's supporters also have applied for some grants to assist the project and also will be speaking with local organizations.

Donations can be sent to PSNI at 1424 N. Boyer, Sandpoint, ID. Make sure to note that the donation is for completion of the remodel project.