COMMUNITY Angela Tennison honored as Chamber’s volunteer of the month for February

By Reader Staff

Angie Tennison is the February volunteer of the month for the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce, which noted not only her leadership of the local Community Resource Officers, but her overall willingness to lend a hand to the community when needed.

Chamber officials highlighted two stories of Tennison’s volunteer spirit:

The first began when Tennison and her work partner saw a woman looking down on her luck — shoeless, no less — in the middle of winter. After talking to her, Tennison found out the woman had some developmental issues and was living on the streets.

Her blankets and shoes had been stolen, and she’d been kicked while on the ground — knocking out one of her teeth in the process. Making matters even worse, the same people knew when she received her Social Security check and would routinely steal it from her.

Tennison called Better Together Animal Alliance and the organization donated whatever the woman needed, including clothes, shoes, boots, blankets and other items. Tennison then took to Facebook and started gathering further donations, which provided the woman with a hotel room for two months as well as a phone. Tennison went on to contact Samuels Apartments, a low-income housing project, to find her new friend a more permanent place to live, going so far as to help the woman with all the paperwork required for the application.

The second story involves a woman who was close to death and, as a final act, made sure her animals had food to last until they could be found. This woman drove herself on what she assumed was her last ounce of strength to the fire station to tell the firefighters there to take care of her animals.

After she was admitted for treatment, local firefighters brought hay to the horses and made sure they were OK. Tammy Miller, with Selkirk Fire, then reached out to Tennison. After gaining permission from the woman to give help, Tennison again went to work. She purchased hazmat suits to clean the woman’s home. Gathering dumpsters and cleaning supplies, Tennison also got volunteers to help with her cleaning efforts. The woman is now staying on Tennison’s property while she recovers from her medical condition.

When asked by the chamber if Tennison wanted to share anything with the public about these instances, she said she wants the community to know that she does these things on her own time, not using taxpayer dollars. She also shared her gratitude for all the parties who stepped in to help her and these folks who were down on their luck.

“No, I don’t help everyone — I only help those who are willing to help themselves move forward,” she said. “I feel I am being led to do this. Too many people turn their backs on people and I won’t.”

Rotary’s ‘Flowers for Futures’ sells floral baskets to benefit community programs

By Reader Staff

The Rotary Club of Ponderay is again offering hanging flower baskets for sale, with funds raised to benefit local educational opportunities, service projects, and health-and-wellness initiatives.

The large baskets include an array of flowers and cost $45, with a retail value of $75. Twenty dollars of each purchase is classified as a tax deductible donation. Purchased baskets can be picked up Wednesday, May 10 — just in time for Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 14.

“For 17 years, the Rotary has supported scholarship opportunities for high-school graduates and those who wish to continue their education, giving between $12,000 to $26,000 in scholarship monies to students each year,” stated Ponderay Rotary Treasurer Kari Saccomanno in a media release.

This year’s goal is to distribute more than $25,000 to applicants. Applications can be found online at ponderayrotaryclub.com and through Sandpoint High School at sh.lposd.org.

“These baskets sell very quickly because people love being able to help our community at the same time as getting something beautiful that will last a long time,” Saccomanno stated.

To order: ponderayrotaryclub@gmail.com.

YMCA’s Day of Giving

Funds raised March 7 will support the Y’s ongoing mission to support local

By Reader Staff

The YMCA of the Inland Northwest is highlighting its second annual YMCA Day of Giving on Tuesday, March 7. The one-day event provides communities with an opportunity to give to their local YMCA.

“The Spokane and Bonner County communities always step up when there is a need, and we are hopeful for a big response this year,” stated YMCA of the Inland Northwest President and CEO Alan Lesher in a news release. “All funds raised on the Day of Giving ensure those in greatest need welcoming place for families to play, those seeking improved health, well-being, community and belonging can find their Y, and programs continue to support youth, teens, families and seniors locally each year.”

Donors can make their gifts or learn more by visiting any YMCA of the Inland Northwest branch on March 7, or contribute online at ymcainw.org/donate.

Since its launch in 2015, the YMCA Day of Giving has raised almost $3 million nationwide, and more than $950,000 in 2022 alone.

“This year, the YMCA looks forward to the continued support our communities have provided over the nearly 140 years we’ve operated in the region, as we continue to help those in need throughout the Spokane and Sandpoint areas,” the organization stated. “Over 50,000 people visit YMCA branches and participate in YMCA programs locally each year.”

Dollars raised on the Day of Giving go to support the YMCA association to which they were given, where they can continue to benefit their local community.

For more information, visit ymcainw.org or contact YMCA Financial Development Director Jesse Zumbro at 509-777-9622 ext. 4210 or email jzumbro@ymcainw.org.