Event raises $10K for center, Bulldog Bench

SANDPOINT — The Ross Hall photo is vintage Sandpoint: The scene was City Beach circa 1955, looking darn near exactly as it does today, with a young Jerry Kramer soaking up the sun on a crowded beach, his back as wide and muscular as it was tan.

The photo was one of the hottest auction items from “A Night to Remember,” a fundraiser held Saturday night at Hooties at the Elks benefiting the DayBreak Center and Bulldog Bench.

The night featured two of Idaho’s most famous NFL alumni in Jerry Kramer and Jake Plummer, along with 125 guests, each of whom enjoyed a night of storytelling and fun, to say nothing of the tasty prime rib dinner.

More than $10,000 was raised, with the proceeds being split v50/50 between the DayBreak Center, a local program that provides day care to individuals with dementia and Alzheimer’s, and the Bulldog Bench, which benefits the SHS athletic programs.

Kramer, one of the greatest offensive lineman of his generation for the Green Bay Packers, waxed nostalgic about returning to Sandpoint, where he starred on the football field before playing at the University of Idaho.

“What a flood of memories,” he said, alluding to a chat he had with a smattering of current Sandpoint players on hand to bus tables. “So many friends, so many family.”

Both Kramer, who now lives near Boise but still has family in the area, and Plummer, who lives in Sandpoint, shared stories about how Alzheimer’s Disease has personally impacted their lives. Each expressed a heartfelt thanks to all of the people and community members who pulled together to make the fundraiser a success.

Plummer, who helped organize the event, spoke for about 10 minutes to the room before deferring to Kramer.

“I have a pretty good name in Idaho, but nothing like his,” Plummer said of Kramer. “He’s a legend.”

Current Sandpoint coach Mike Mitchell emceed the event, mixing a blend of football and humor, before jokingly handing a Sandpoint football hat to Kramer — along with an invitation — before ceding the mic.

“We did lose an offensive line coach this year,” Mitchell said to a chorus of laughter as he gave Kramer the hat.

Kramer, a natural born storyteller, proceeded to regale the crowd with stories. He talked of playing for Cotton Barlow in the 1950s, remembering when an assistant coach named Dusty Klein once told him “you can play this game. You can, if you will.” He joked that at the time he had no idea what the coach meant.

He recalled going 1-10-1 in his first year with the Packers, before a young coach named Vince Lombardi took over, instantly telling the team he’d never been associated with a loser and he wasn’t about to start now. He recalled being verbally berated on the practice field once by Lombardi, then having the legendary Packers coach approach him later in an empty locker room to tell him that one day he could be the best guard in football.

Kramer also spoke of what a shame it would be to not do something with your life once football ended, before turning to Plummer with an offering.

“Lets do this every year Jake,” said Kramer. “Hopefully double it every year.”

Local volunteer John Elsa was instrumental in organizing the whole evening. Along with Daybreak director Norma White, secretary Barbara Spade and a host of other volunteers, and a wealth of community support, the event went off without a hitch.

“My passion is seniors. They’re the ones that built this infrastructure that we live in,” explained Elsa, who loved seeing the mix of young and old. “I feel it’s important to bring the youth of the community and the seniors together. They both have a lot to offer.”

Local volunteer Regina Hammack had high praise for the efforts of Elsa, and not just pertaining to the fundraiser.

“He volunteers everything,” said Hammack of Elsa. “Whatever he can do for the senior citizens he’s there to do it.”

Elsa wanted to thank the Seasons Resort for donating a room to Kramer, Nieman’s for donating the flowers, Safeway for donating the salad and Litehouse for donating the dressing. He also thanked the Spade Brothers, for helping run the auction,

The aforementioned Ross Hall painting was just one of many notable prizes donated for the auction. A signed Jerry Kramer football fetched more than signed balls from former Denver quarterbacks John Elway and Jake Plummer, and even more than a ball signed by the entire 2008 Denver Broncos football team.

The SWAC donated one year’s membership, Wes Olson Trucking and R & R Contracting donated a truck load of tamarack, Encoder Products donated a trip to Hawaii, the Coeur d’Alene Resort donated four free rounds of golf, the Idaho Club donated two rounds, Bill Jones Distributing and Odom Northwest Beverage donated cases of wine and a host of other local businesses donated an assortment of items to help make the event a success.