Local nonprofits participating in Idaho's largest day of giving

SANDPOINT — The state’s largest single day of giving, Idaho Gives, is Thursday and several area nonprofits are participating this year.

Last year, Bonner and Boundary County nonprofits raised more than $15,000 of the nearly $1.5 million raised through Idaho Gives statewide. To continue the momentum from last year’s successful Idaho Gives campaign, the Idaho Nonprofit Center has set a goal of raising $1.5 million this year. Since its inception, Idaho Gives has raised nearly $5 million for charitable causes in every corner of the Gem State, according to a statement from Amy Little, Idaho Nonprofit Center president and CEO.

"What I love about Idaho Gives is that donors can choose exactly where their funds go, plus it’s really the only day where all nonprofits can come together to collaborate on fundraising, regardless of mission," Little said in the statement.

Bonner Homeless Transitions is one local organization participating in Idaho Gives this year in hopes to raise some funds to purchase the program's annex, said Ann Gehring, vice president of Bonner Homeless Transitions, in an email to the Daily Bee. 

The annex is the house next to the organization's Blue Haven home in Sandpoint that BHT has been renting. They now have the opportunity to buy the house for $100,000. The house offers two of the largest apartments in the program and has a play yard. BHT serves anywhere from 15-25 children with their parents at Blue Haven and the two apartments have been "vital" to the program's service, according to the organization's fundraising campaign details.

A new addition to the Idaho Gives community this year is The Carousel of Smiles. Donations will be used to help restore the rounding boards, chariots and horses of the 1920 Allan Herschell carousel.

"We are very excited to be taking part for our first time in the statewide Idaho Gives day," said The Carousel of Smiles founders Clay and Reno Hutchison. "What a great program for Idaho not-for-profits. It really shows the depth and breadth of our state's not-for-profit endeavors and the generosity of our communities."

The Sandpoint Area Seniors, inc., participate each year, raising funds to help with the organization's various programs.

"Idaho Gives is a great statewide event which raises awareness and funds for nonprofits and has helped all of our vital programs for seniors," said Ellen Weissman, SASi executive director, in an email to the Daily Bee. "When a donation is made to Sandpoint Area Seniors, it is split three ways for our food program — both our senior center in-house meals and Home Delivered Meals — the DayBreak Center, and all other activities. Every donation, large and small, helps the lives of our community’s seniors and is greatly appreciated."

Cindy Marx, program manager for Community Cancer Services, said CCS has participated in the event for the past few years to help their clients with expenses. The organization's assistance to clients in treatment and going to doctor visits runs $2,000 to $3,000 per month, Marx said in an email. CCS also provides $2,000 in grocery vouchers, and that again in medical bill payment assistance.

"We keep our overhead and expenses as low as we can and still have someone in an office for our clients to come in and have personal interaction with," Marx said. "We also have counselors and a yoga instructor. While we get grants and do fundraisers, all of our income sources vary year to year. So we are always fundraising to continue to support our clients. I am myself a two-time survivor and knew our founder, Heather Gibson, and want to continue to carry on her mission of support."

Marx said CCS is partnering with several other nonprofits as well for events on Thursday at Evans Brothers Coffee from 8-10 a.m., and Idaho Pour Authority from 4-8 p.m. The event will give people a chance to learn a bit about some of the nonprofits that are fundraising during Idaho Gives, so it isn't just about giving money online, Marx said. Evans Brothers will be giving away some gift certificates and the various organizations will have information, as well as prizes or giveaways for people donating that day, she said. A full list of organizations participating in these events can be found on Idaho Pour Authority's Facebook page.

Idaho Gives takes place from midnight to midnight on Thursday with donations being accepted exclusively online at IdahoGives.org. Additional details and events can be viewed at IdahoGives.org/info/events. Donors, supporters and nonprofits are encouraged to post photos and talk about their favorite causes across social media using the hashtag #IdahoGives.

Nonprofits from Sandpoint, Priest River, Clark Fork, Hope and Ponderay that are registered to participate include: Memorial Community Center, American Heritage Wildlife Foundation, Panida Theater, The Carousel of Smiles, Music Conservatory of Sandpoint, Idaho Panhandle Habitat for Humanity, Friends of the Scotchman Peaks Wilderness, Sandpoint Youth Center, Rock Creek Alliance, Community Cancer Services, Sandpoint Area Seniors, inc., Sandpoint Academy of the Arts, Panhandle Animal Shelter, Bonner Community Food Bank, Bonner Homeless Transitions, Selkirk Outdoor Leadership and Education, Rhythm's Way, Selkirk Conservation Alliance and Freedom House, Inc. In Boundary County, The Pearl Theater and GROW - "Gardeners For Regional Organic Well Being," are participating as well.

Idaho Gives is underwritten by Idaho Central Credit Union, PacificSource Health Plans, Idaho National Laboratory and KTVB.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.