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News & Announcements

December 5, 2024

"Giving Tuesday" with Knudtsen Chevrolet

Knudtsen Chevrolet has supported our organization for 17 years, returning to when the Post Falls Club was built. Knudtsen Chevrolet’s staff proposed letting customers of newly purchased vehicles choose the charity that would receive $300 from their November purchase.

Lauren Shaw presented the “Giving Tuesday Event” check to us on Tuesday afternoon. We’d like to thank not only Knudtsen Chevrolet’s staff but also our friends in the community who thought of Boys & Girls Clubs when they made their car purchase. We are extremely grateful!

* Photo credit - Carolyn Bostick / CDA Press

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December 2, 2024

A Visit from Mike White & Ben Gregg

We had two very special guests visit the CDA club before Thanksgiving. Mike White, of Mike White Ford, presented us with an extremely generous donation. But that’s not all. He brought a friend.

Ben Gregg, from the Gonzaga University Men’s Basketball team, thrilled the kiddos by answering their questions (he enjoys building LEGO as a hobby), shooting some hoops in the gameroom, and signing autographs. A huge thank you to Mike and Ben for sharing time with our organization.

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November 22, 2024

Operation Warm Coat

The CDA Club had the pleasure of participating in Operation Warm Coat, a winter coat giveaway donated by the wonderful Rita Case, a truly generous Friend of the Club.

Our kids were literally wrapped in happiness – the smiles were so bright, they could melt the winter snow! It was like watching a real-life feel-good movie, complete with happy dances and big, warm hugs.

Special thanks to Rita, whose generosity and kind heart have made this chilly season a whole lot warmer for these young ones. It's moments like these that remind us all of the power of community and kindness.

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October 29, 2024

Club Promotions

We are excited to announce the advancement of three team leaders!

Pictured with Executive Director Mark Kuhnhausen (second from left) are: (L - R) Charlie Leach, Program Coordinator, Coeur d’Alene Club (promoted from Youth Development Professional), Miranda Lari, Teen Center Director for the CdA Club (promoted from Youth Development Professional); and Emma Johnson, newly appointed Branch Director, Post Falls (promoted from the Club’s Program Director position).

We are lucky to have such talented and dedicated team members!

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September 14, 2024

Local Leaders Discuss the Impact of the Club in our Community

In this short promotional video, Cameron Chesnut, founder of Clinic 5C, and Mark Rypien, MVP of the SuperBowl XXVI Champion Washington Redskins, discuss the impact our local Boys & Girls Clubs have on the youth and families in Kootenai County.

Cameron and Mark highlight mentorship, bringing value to the community, fostering new passions, teaching good citizenship, and developing leadership skills.

The video was taped at the Gozzer Ranch Golf & Lake Club in September, 2024, on the occasion of Cameron’s “Golf at Gozzer with World Champions” Live Auction package that he’d won at our 2023 Gala. Cameron and his team developed and produced this video.

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April 9, 2024

The Story of "Knit & Stitch Haven"

Once upon a time, in a cozy little Coeur d’Alene neighborhood nestled between rolling hills and shimmering lakes, there was a small corner of the Boys & Girls Clubhouse called "Knit & Stitch Haven." This corner was a hub of creativity and warmth, where some of the older kiddos gathered to indulge in the timeless crafts of knitting and crocheting.

One bright spring day, a group of curious younger children wandered into Knit & Stitch Haven. They were intrigued by the colorful yarns and the rhythmic clicking of knitting needles. Rosanne, a kind-hearted volunteer, welcomed them with a warm smile and invited them to join in the fun.

At first, the children were unsure. They had never tried knitting or crocheting before and weren't sure if they could do it. But Rosanne assured them that anyone could learn with a little patience and practice. With eager hearts and nimble fingers, the children dove into their lessons. Rosanne patiently taught them the basics, showing them how to cast on stitches and work simple patterns. As they stitched and looped, their confidence grew, and soon they were creating their own masterpieces. Each day after school, the children returned to Knit & Stitch Haven, eager to learn more. They experimented with different yarns and colors, weaving stories into their stitches. They giggled and chatted as they worked, forming friendships as strong as the stitches they made. As the seasons changed and the days grew shorter, the children's skills blossomed. They proudly showed off their scarves, hats, and even a few stuffed animals they had crafted with love. Their families marveled at their newfound talents, and soon the entire Clubhouse was buzzing with excitement about the young artisans of Knit & Stitch Haven. One afternoon, the children gathered around their workstation, their needles flashing in the fading light. As they worked on their latest projects, they realized something magical had happened. Through knitting and crocheting, they had not only learned a new skill but had also found a way to express themselves and connect with others in a meaningful way. And so, in the corner of their cozy little Clubhouse, a new tradition was born. Every year, the children of Knit & Stitch Haven would gather to share their creations and pass on their knowledge to the next class of budding artisans, ensuring that the timeless crafts of knitting and crocheting would continue to flourish for years to come.

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April 8, 2024

A Donation From the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office

A big thank you to Sheriff Norris and the @Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office for their recent donation, made possible by residents purchasing Specialized Youth Plates. We appreciate your generosity!

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February 16, 2024

Post Falls Community Recognition Gala

The Post Falls Chamber recently hosted its annual Community Recognition Gala, where local nonprofits recognize individuals and businesses that affected positive change in Post Falls.

We’d like to thank the Post Falls Chamber for allowing us to honor two members of the community who made valuable contributions to our organization’s mission in 2023. 

The Boys & Girls Club's “Volunteer of the Year” was awarded to Rick Rasmussen, CEO of Northwest Specialty Hospital. Our “Business of the Year” was awarded to John Young, President of Young Construction Group of Idaho, Inc.

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January 3, 2024

Planet Fitness Helps to Brighten the Holidays

Chase Bond, General Manager of Planet Fitness CDA, met with Ashley, Kylie, and Luke from the CDA Boys & Girls Club to drop off holiday gifts collected for our young members.

Planet Fitness displayed a Holiday Giving Tree with wish tags, and then their members were invited to select a tag and purchase the item listed to help make the holidays brighter for the child in need. A big thank you to Chase, his staff, and the members of Planet Fitness.

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December 21, 2023

Holiday Cheer from Parker Toyota

A special Thank You to Parker Automotive and their employees for donating $7,800 to help bring Holiday Cheer to some deserving families.

In addition, we appreciate our ongoing partnership with Eat Smart Idaho, Super One Foods, and New Visions High School. The generosity and coordination of these local organizations helped make our Holiday Gift Basket event a success.

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December 19, 2023

Gesa Credit Union Holiday Giving Campaign

Every year, Gesa Credit Union organizes a Holiday Giving Campaign benefitting various non-profits in the area. Based in Washington, Gesa is currently expanding into the North Idaho market. You may have seen their new branch off Exit 1 near the state line.

Gesa collected both toys and monetary donations at their branches and online, then donated them to local heroes in our communities, including our organization. 

Victoria Nash, Community Relations Specialist at Gesa wrote, “We would like to donate to the Boys and Girls Club because we appreciate that your organization is educating our community’s youth, empowering them, and guiding them towards a bright and successful future.”  In the photo, Ashley from Gesa presents a check to Lane at the CDA club.

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November 29, 2023

A Great Gift From a Longtime Supporter: Greene Idaho Foundation

Doug Okuniewicz, Randy Oaks, Todd Tondee, and Don Gross from Greene Idaho recently presented a $10,000 donation to our Clubs.

The Greene Idaho Foundation proudly serves North Idaho by supporting local charities and nonprofits. The Foundation makes direct cash donations and in-kind donations that assist nonprofit fundraising efforts.

These donations provide a deserving boost to care-givers on the front lines of charity in our community. The Foundation believes it is far better to put the tools into the hands of established organizations that are already delivering top-notch services in our area.

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November 16, 2023

$250,000 Grant from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust

Boys & Girls Clubs of Kootenai County recently received a $250,000 grant from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust of Vancouver, Washington, for our Jordan Johnson Clubhouse expansion project in Post Falls.

This project expands the club by more than 5,000 square feet and helps to accommodate the growing demand for the Boys & Girls Clubs in the area. See more.

The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, created by the will of the late Melvin J. (Jack) Murdock, provides grants to nonprofit organizations in five states of the Pacific Northwest - Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington – that seek to strengthen the region’s educational, social, spiritual, and cultural base in creative and sustainable ways. The Trust supports community-focused organizations at every level of their development through grants, enrichment programming, and other resources.

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August 3, 2023

Friends of Coeur d’Alene Public Golf Club Foundation

We’d like to thank Ken, Gary, and Dick from Friends of Coeur d’Alene Public Golf Club Foundation for introducing the game of golf to kiddos from both of our Club locations.

They volunteered their time, experience, and equipment to our organization for several mornings of instruction and guidance. Our young members enthusiastically embraced the game, had fun, and appreciated the opportunity to learn.

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June 28, 2023

"If The Shoe Fits . . ." Shoe Giveaway with Rita Case

Hundreds of kiddos received free shoes and socks courtesy of Rita Case, President and CEO of Rick Case Automotive Group. She funded the gift of 450 pairs of shoes and 900 pairs of Bombas socks.

Nike, Vans, Reebok, Converse, Sketchers, Fila, New Balance, and many other quality name brands, of all sizes and colors, were in boxes on tables around the perimeter of the gym. The boys and girls arrived in groups to choose a few pairs of socks and then decide which pair of new shoes they wanted to take home.

“I love to get these kids shoes,” Case said. "They go through them so fast.” The giveaway is an annual event, which Rita coordinates with Soles4Souls Inc., that provides new athletic shoes to children at the Boys & Girls Clubs in Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls. Mark Kuhnhausen, Executive Director, Boys & Girls Clubs of Kootenai County, said it was awesome to see the joy and excitement of the kids as they showed off their new footwear. “It’s just another way the community comes together,” he said. “We have people like Rita that care about our kids.”

Parts of this story were taken directly from an article in the CDA Press, dated 06-28-23. Please refer to this link for the article: https://cdapress.com/news/2023/jun/28/if-shoe-fits/

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June 22, 2023

bankcda Provides A Very Generous Donation for Our Expansion

Our Boys & Girls Clubs received a donation of $90,000 from bankcda, in partnership with Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines. The funds will support the expansion of the Jordan Johnson Club in Post Falls.

The construction project began in December 2022 and is expected to be complete this September. Pictured below, from left: Mark Kuhnhausen, Mikayla Mahovsky, Sandy Patano, Ryan Davis, Brad Rasor and Wes Veach.

“bankcda is a neighborhood bank. Our community believes in neighbors helping neighbors and so do we," said bankcda CEO Wes Veach. “We are proud to support our future community leaders.” Boys & Girls Clubs of Kootenai County, Executive Director, Mark Kuhnhausen said construction is moving right along. "We’re thrilled that bankcda has invested so much in our community," he said. "Things are going great and we couldn't be more thrilled to have bankcda onboard."

Parts of this story were taken directly from an article in the CDA Press, dated 06-29-23. Please refer to this link for the article: https://cdapress.com/news/2023/jun/29/boys-and-girls-club-receives-90k-donation/

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June 16, 2023

A Generous Grant from First Interstate Bank in Riverstone

Members of First Interstate Bank in Riverstone stopped by the Club to present our organization with a very generous grant. We will proudly memorialize this gift from First Interstate Bank on our Jordan Johnson Clubhouse Donor Wall in Post Falls.

A heartfelt Thank You to First Interstate Bank (1260 W Riverstone Dr, Coeur d'Alene, ID) for their commitment to support the youth in our community.

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June 6, 2023

Team ICCU Visits the Post Falls Club with a Donation

Idaho Central Credit Union has long supported Idaho’s youth, especially the Boys & Girls Clubs here in Kootenai County. Our current capital campaign is directed towards the expansion of our facilities at the Jordan Johnson Clubhouse in Post Falls.

Members of the ICCU team rolled up in their custom “Green Machine” Jeeps loaded with piggy banks for the kiddos and a very generous check for the Club. The BGC family thanks ICCU for their visit and their ongoing financial support.

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June 5, 2023

Soles 4 Souls Shoe Giveaway is Slated for June 27th

Rita Case, one of our most cherished benefactors, has arranged for our Club to receive 450 pairs of shoes and over 900 pairs of Bamba socks.

The giveaway is planned for Tuesday, June 27th at 4:00 PM in the CDA gym. This event is for CDA Club kids only. Branch Director Ashley will be in touch with our CDA parents with more details prior to the event.

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High-Quality, Name Brand Shoes for the Kiddos!

June 2, 2023

Taco Bell Foundation 2023 Community Grant

Boys & Girls Clubs of Kootenai County just received a very generous  2023 Community Grant from the Taco Bell Foundation to support our work with youth in our community. 

This year, the Taco Bell Foundation is proudly awarding $15 million in Community Grants to organizations that support youth education and career readiness nationwide.

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May 18, 2023

Mariner Moose Visits the CDA Clubhouse

Our CDA Clubhouse had a very special guest this week. The Seattle Mariners mascot, Mariner Moose, brought some Mariners swag, signed autographs, and moosed around in the gym with the kiddos.

The support team was prompt, helpful, and extremely friendly. On behalf of the staff and the CDA kids, thank you Seattle Mariners! 

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