Gooby honored as top chamber volunteer

SANDPOINT — The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce honored Barbara Gooby, as November’s Volunteer of the Month for her service to the community.

Gooby was honored at the November general membership luncheon where the annual “State of the Cities” address was being held.

For those who have been in Sandpoint long enough to consider themselves “local,” they’ve probably have had contact with Gooby — a successful business woman in the community since 1971. Gooby has spent her lifetime serving the area through various community service projects. For that, she was honored by the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce as its volunteer of the month for November, said chamber spokesman Mack Deibel.

“Barbara’s reach is one that extends to many places of the greater Sandpoint area,” Deibel said. “She was a great help in starting one of the first Women in Business organizations for this area. She has been a major fundraising/sponsor collector for the Shriner’s year after year. As well as, spending countless hours serving the Girl Scouts organization and is currently a member of the Community Assistance League.”

In addition, Deibel said Gooby also fought the drug trade for five years to make sure it was kept out of the schools and away from the youth in our area.

“These days, Barbara’s passion is now focused around our local area seniors,” he added. “Barbara recently came out of retirement to take on the role of marketing director for the local area senior center.”

When asked why she decided on the move, Gooby said it was simple.

“It was because I saw an obvious need to help our area seniors,” she said. “For those unaware, our local senior center has suffered through some fiscal challenges for a number of years, especially in this economy. Many of our local seniors rely heavily on the meals provided and the companionship offered through our local senior center.”

When she took over the role four months ago, the senior center was in the red and her assistance in fundraising and grant writing has helped “right the ship,” Deibel said.

Those who attended the center’s recent fundraising dinner saw firsthand its success, with people waiting in line to be part of it. What they didn’t see was the amount of effort, hours and hard work that went into planning the event — of which Gooby played a major part.

”Her hard work has done a lot for so many causes in our community,” said Deibel. “From the Greater Sandpoint chamber, thank you.”