Organizations launch Idaho Gives campaigns

From trail activities to helping students learn music from a distance, local and regional organizations are taking part in Idaho Gives — previously the state’s largest single day of giving.

It’s now two weeks of online fundraising to help local nonprofits raise some much-needed revenue.

As part of Idaho Gives, Idaho Trails Association is hosting two events to engage the backpacking and hiking community.

The first is a Trail Master Series webinar — “Backcountry Cooking with Carrie” — set to take place Wednesday, April 29, from 7-8 p.m.

Guest speaker Carrie Holmes, a certified health coach, wants to help you spice up your backpacking meals. She will cover general hiking and backpacking nutrition, incorporating plant-based options into your menu, and how to bring a cultural flair to your recipes. Carrie has done extensive research into foods and spices from other cultures and wants to help you create delectable meals that will make your hiking partners jealous.

Click here to register: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rnzFygpeRjSVBhX-UKaCJg

The second activity is “Digital Campfire Tales,” set for Wednesday, May 6, from 7:30-9 p.m.

The community is invited to join the ITA for a night around the campfire telling stories! In this live webinar event, members from the ITA community will share their harrowing, hilarious or heartwarming trail tales from all over the state. There will be an opportunity for you as an audience member to “raise your hand” during the event and tell your favorite trail story. So get cozy around a fire (in your backyard?), grab a beer, and join us for a night of stories with Idaho’s trail community!

Sign up here to join the Zoom Webinar: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_n3dX1AS7RFmMWxrtoGY-yQ .

If you have an amazing story to tell and would like to be added to our list of storytellers, email kelly@idahotrailsassociation.org.

Can you imagine a world without music? Thanks to Music Conservatory of Sandpoint you won’t have to.

With recent community closures due to COVID-19, support through Idaho gives will help MCS continue to bring music to those who need it most.

“Our school is making a difference now by engaging students using distance learning,” MCS officials said. “We have plans to crescendo during the summer months with classes and camps for the community. A key objective is to keep the performing arts accessible in the Panhandle, with no child turned away based on lack of funds.”

MCS hopes to raise $15,000 to keep the performing arts affordable and accessible in our community.

Stay-at-home guidelines and social distancing guidelines ruled out in-person fundraising this year for Idaho Gives — previously the state’s largest single day of giving.

It’s now two weeks of online fundraising to help local nonprofits raise some much-needed revenue.

In Bonner County, among the groups taking part in the annual fundraising event are Community Cancer Services, American Heritage Wildlife Foundation, Selkirk Conservation Alliance, Panhandle Animal Shelter, Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness, Selkirk Outdoor Leadership & Education (SOLE), Inc., Sandpoint Youth Center, Memorial Community Center, Music Conservatory of Sandpoint, Panida Theater, Sandpoint Community Resource Center, Bonner Partners in Care Clinic, Creations, Mystic Farm Wildlife Rescue, Inc., Priest River Animal Rescue, and Panhandle Special Needs, Inc., Kaniksu Land Trust, QRU Nonprofit Organization, Redside Foundation, and Wipe Every Tear.

Nearly 600 Idaho Nonprofit organizations hope to raise both money and awareness throughout the two-week event. Idaho Gives has elected not to have a monetary goal this year; rather, the focus is on engaging more Idaho donors, Idaho Nonprofit Center President and CEO Amy Little said.

Idaho Gives began April 23 and will continue for two full weeks, ending on May 7. Donations will be accepted online at IdahoGives.org — search for the name of the group to which you would like to donate — or by phone at 1-877-ID-Gives, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the two weeks. Donors, supporters and nonprofits are encouraged to post photos and talk about their favorite causes across social media using the hashtag #IdahoGives.

A variety of community partners help fund the Idaho Gives award pool. These prizes will be given to nonprofits throughout the day and give donors an opportunity for their donations to have an even greater impact. A list of prizes and details about when they will be drawn can be found on the Idaho Gives prize page.

Idaho Gives is a program of the Idaho Nonprofit Center and is underwritten by Idaho Central Credit Union, Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Idaho National Laboratory, and KTVB.

Additional details and events may 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.