CAL named chamber's top business

SANDPOINT — Congratulations go out to the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce October Business of the Month, Community Assistance League.

In the summer of 1979, four women sat on a beach in Sandpoint. They were discussing ways in which they might become more involved in local projects and issues, especially education, as they all had young children. By the end of the year, the Community Assistance League was born.

The mission of CAL was, and still is, to support community through education, service, and philanthropy. For the first 20 years, CAL’s main role was to assist other entities with projects, principally in education. After year twenty, CAL observed the need for more money to better assist even more projects.

The result: CAL’s annual rummage sale “Bizarre Bazaar” grew into Bizarre Bazaar, an upscale resale store now located on Church Street in Sandpoint.

CAL has grown from four women to 260 women and one man. The members, all of whom are volunteers, manage and work in B.B. (as they call it), which is open six days a week, with all proceeds going directly back into the community. “When I was told we were being honored as the Chamber Business of the Month, it was a surprise. I had never considered us a business; just a group of volunteers trying to make a difference.” But I guess we have grown into a business and we are honored to receive this recognition,” said CAL President Sherry Ennis, when receiving the award at the Chamber’s General Membership Luncheon on Oct. 10.

Since its start, CAL has given close to $2,000,000 in grants, scholarships and other aid in Bonner County. This year CAL is celebrating 40 years of service, proving C-A-L does not stand for Coffee and Lunch! CAL members are proud of their accomplishments and to be part of a community as active and caring as Sandpoint.

You can find out more information about the Community Assistance League online at calsandpoint.org, or by visiting Bizarre Bizaar, 520 Church St., in Sandpoint.