CCS: 'It's an incredible gift'
—Photo by ERIC PLUMMER The Hidden Lakes Ladies present Community Cancer Services with a $2,400 check Wednesday. Pictured, from left, are Janis Goff, HLL treasurer; Helen Andring, CCS office manager; Alice Coldsnow, HLL captain; and Nancy McCanlies, HLL board member.
SANDPOINT — Thanks to the virtuous efforts of the Hidden Lakes Ladies’ Traveling Golf Club, cancer patients in Bonner and Boundary counties will continue to get the help they need from Community Cancer Services.
The Hidden Lakes Ladies, now more than 10 years old, held its annual guest day tournament and managed to raise a whopping $2,400, which they promptly donated to Community Cancer Services in Sandpoint.
It’s the third year in a row the group has chosen CCS as the recipient of their fundraiser, and the amount they donate gets bigger each year.
“We really admire their service and the fact they’re local,” said Hidden Lakes Ladies treasurer Janis Goff of CCS. “Everybody really opened their pocket book for the cause on this one.”
The golf group, which numbers more than 50 members, has the motto “for the love of golf,” and they golf at a different courses around the region every summer.
Along with their donation to CCS, the Hidden Lakes Ladies also do a fundraiser each winter and donate the proceeds to Kinderhaven, another local non-profit in Sandpoint. Other Hidden Lakes Ladies board members who helped run the tournament included Kate Worden, Sue Andrews, Linda Bogdan and Penny Graft, and they wished to thank Stoneridge Golf Course for hosting the event.
For CCS, the $2,400 will go directly to help cancer patients and their families who are dealing with the myriad problems and logistics that come with fighting the disease.
“It’s an incredible gift. It means gas vouchers and grocery cards for clients. It helps with medical bills and lodging,” described CCS office manager Helen Andring. “The money stays in Bonner and Boundary counties. If they have a cancer diagnosis, we can help.”
CCS helps more than 200 clients each year, striving to provide a safe and comfortable place where locals can come for help. Andring appreciates the efforts of the Hidden Lakes Ladies, as well as everyone in the community who donates their time or money to CCS.
“It’s such a cool testimony to the community. Women come together and give to a good cause. It boosts us as we do what we do,” said Andring, noting CCS is all about helping those who need it. “It’s not just the financial aspect, but the emotional aspect. We never give medical advice, yet we know what they’re going through. They have this comfort.”
To find out more, or to make a donation, call CCS at 208-255-2301, or go online to communitycancerservices.com.