Bistadeaus honored as top volunteers

SANDPOINT — There aren’t many local events you don’t see Sharon and Jamie Bistadeau helping out.

Their commitment to volunteering at many local events is why the pair were selected by the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce’s board of director’s as the organizations volunteers of the month.

Sharon Bistadeau is a nurse supervisor at Bonner General Health and on the board of directors for Celebrate Life and the volunteer chair at the Festival at Sandpoint. She started the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program in collaboration with the Bonner County Prosecutor’s Office, and was instrumental in bringing Bonner General Health nurses into the first aid station at Schweitzer Mountain Resort during ski season to provide prompt medical attention for mountain visitors needing immediate care.

In her spare time, Sharon teaches basic and advanced life support CPR and first aid to other medical professionals. She started the Bonner County Bicycle Helmet Program to get free or discounted helmets for school-age children and brought the Trauma Nurses Talk Tough Program to local high schools to inform students about drinking and driving and other risky behavior. Sharon is also on the planning board for the annual Operation Grad Night and the Mock DUI accident scene, often spending the night with the high school kids who have been sequestered from their families as part of the event. She does all of this while completing her master’s degree in nursing and studying to become a family nurse practitioner.

Sharon’s daughter Jamie is a certified nurse’s assistant and outdoor emergency care professional patroller with the National Ski Patrol. She is also a ski coach for the Stars of SARS and assists with SARS ski races. When she isn’t working as a welder/fabricator/machinist for her father’s company, Multi-Trail Enterprises, she is a self-described “pack mule,” assisting her mom and volunteering at community events. For several years, she has ridden her own motorcycle in the CHaFE 150, providing motorcycle-based first aid and mechanical support to the bicyclists. She was also a medical volunteer for the new Sandpoint to Clark Fork Marathon that was just started last year.

Kate McAlister, Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, speaks highly of Sharon and Jamie.

“Our community runs on the countless hours amazing people give to help others and we are enriched by their volunteering,” McAlister said. “Thank you for giving to all of us and making our community so great.”

Chamber Ambassador Steve Sanchez agreed.

“From loading up their medical gear and doing radio checks at 5am to prepare for the CHaFE 150, to staffing the Medical Tent until all of the patrons have left each night of The Festival, you will find them smiling, laughing, and giving out hugs as much as treating injuries,” said Sanchez. “They never fail to round up a team of nurses and volunteers for each event to keep the participants safe.”