Walkers To Take Great Strides For Cystic Fibrosis Research

Volunteers are collecting money from sponsors for the annual Great Strides walk for cystic fibrosis on June 1. At 2 p.m. that day, walkers will start at Gonzaga University’s Martin Center and make a five-mile loop along the Centennial Trail.

Great Strides is a nationwide event to raise research money for cystic fibrosis. Last year, more than $75,000 was collected in Washington state.

Spokane organizers hope to raise $10,000 locally this year.

“For every dollar raised in Washington, 91 cents goes toward research,” said Ana Rabicoff, director of special events for the Washington Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Cystic fibrosis is the No. 1 genetic killer of children and young adults in the United States. Currently there is no cure, but scientists are developing new treatments that include gene therapy studies.

Each walker is asked to collect a minimum of $20. Those raising $50 or more will receive a T-shirt.

Names of preregistered walkers raising $100 or more will be in a drawing for a Precor treadmill. Other prizes will be given for those raising between $100 and $5,000.

The walker turning in the most money will receive round-trip airfare for two on American Airlines.

For more information or to make a contribution, call Larry Lewis at 328-4220, ext. 3430.

Fund-raisers

The Priest Lake Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual charity auction on Saturday at The Inn at Priest Lake in Coolin, Idaho. The event will raise money for a variety of community needs.

Last year, funds were dispersed to Hospice of Sandpoint, Priest Lake Library, a day care, emergency medical technicians and purchase of computers for the elementary school.

Wine and cheese tasting at 4 p.m. will precede the auction, which will be at 5. Reservations are required for the dinner at 7.

Items up for bid include a Canadian Rocky Mountain train trip for two, a week in Maui, Hawaii, a Utah jazz basketball package, and a blue topaz ring. Also offered will be works of art, tickets for Broadway plays with hotel accommodations, stays at Priest Lake resorts and bed-and-breakfast inns, and an autographed Seahawks helmet.

For more information, call (208) 443-3191.

Employees of the Colville, Wash., Wal-Mart store rode their bikes through the rain from Colville to Deaconess Medical Center last Sunday. Five cyclists collected pledges from friends and family and biked the 72-1/2 miles to Spokane to raise $1,400 for the Children’s Miracle Network.

They are part of an effort of Inland Northwest Wal-Mart stores to support the Children’s Miracle Network. Last year, local Wal-Marts contributed $32,881.

The Children’s Miracle Network benefits area hospitals and facilities that help hundreds of local children dealing with cancer, leukemia, cystic fibrosis, heart defects, premature births, trauma and other serious medical conditions.

Volunteer needed

Hutton Elementary is seeking an area resident to serve a two-year position on its site council. The first task of the site council, a newly formed decision-making group, will be to determine how to meet the goal of improving student learning.

Information materials, including site council’s bylaws, are available in the school office. Application deadline is Saturday.

Events

A Spokane community luncheon tribute to Gonzaga President Rev. Bernard J. Coughlin, S.J., for his 22 years of service to Gonzaga and the community will be at noon Thursday at the Spokane Ag Trade Center.

Allison Cowles will speak at the event, organized by a committee of Spokane business people. Christine Schnug, chairwoman of the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce, will emcee.

Coughlin served as GU’s president for 22 years, overseeing progress in areas such as academics, endowments, buildings and grounds, community outreach and enrollment growth.

After introducing the incoming president, the Rev. Edward Glynn, S.J., to various constituencies, Coughlin will take an indefinite sabbatical before assuming responsibilities as Gonzaga’s first chancellor.

To purchase the $25 luncheon tickets, call Lisa Malone, 324-5995.

The YWCA Alternatives to Domestic Violence Program has a support and therapy program for victims of domestic violence: Mondays from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesdays from 2 to 4 p.m., and Fridays from 1 to 3 p.m. Free child care is available during the Monday and Friday sessions if reservations are made.

Also, an educational group covering dysfunctional family systems, abusive patterns, change process, human development needs and communication is on Wednesdays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

And there’s a free support group for teens experiencing dating violence or violence in their homes.

For more information on any of these groups, call the YWCA Alternatives to Domestic Violence Program at 326-2255.

“The Nuts and Bolts of Volunteer Management” will be taught in a half-day workshop on June 4 and will target all agencies working with volunteers.

The workshop will be presented by DOVIA (Directors of Volunteers In Agencies), an organization that unites individuals involved in the recruiting, training, managing and recognition of volunteers.

Judy McKellar will address “Effective Communication” and be followed by presentations on recruitment, retention and recognition; written communications and newsletter publication; Association of Volunteer Administration certification; gaining volunteers through college programs; and volunteer training.

Reservations must be received by May 28.

The fee is $25 for DOVIA members or $30 for non-members. Call Dora Faye at SCAN, 458-7445, for more information.

Family events

Family Magazine’s third birthday celebration will be celebrated today from 1 to 5 p.m., at Wonderland Golf and Games, 10515 N. Division.

Hourly drawings for prizes include gift certificates, books, T-shirts and two Southwest Airlines tickets. Brittany and Renee, Family Magazine Young Readers mystery characters, will be there.

Kids can have their faces painted, take home a balloon animal and play Wonderland games (coupons may be found in the May issue of Family Magazine.)

Success by Six representatives will be on hand to answer questions.

Family books - best sellers, children’s favorites, cookbooks, and educational, gardening and sports volumes - will be sold at a 50 to 70 percent savings. Proceeds from part of the book sale will benefit the Success by Six Children’s Book Bank.

Camp Gifford, the Salvation Army’s summer youth camp at Deer Lake, will celebrate 75 years of community service with a reunion at the camp on Saturday. The event is free and open to the public.

Thousands of campers and staff members have spent summers at Camp Gifford since 1921. Activities at the six-day camps include swimming, canoeing, drama workshops, hiking and crafts.

The Salvation Army invites those who attended or worked at Camp Gifford to relive memories and renew friendships by bringing photos, T-shirts and camp memorabilia to the celebration.

Bring your own lunch or purchase one for $3.

For more information, call 325-6810.

Cheney Cowles Museum and Spokane Art School are collaborating to sponsor two mask-making workshops for children on June 15 in the museum’s Carriage House. The classes are taught by art school instructors.

The first session, 10 a.m. to noon, is for students in grades 1 to 3. The second session, 1 to 3 p.m., is for students in grades 4 to 6.

Registration for the $8 workshops begins Monday. Call Judy Grollmus, 456-3932, ext. 128.

Each workshop requires a minimum of six participants and is limited to 12 participants.

Health notes

Abe Shelby from Washington State Health Care Authority, Olympia, will be the guest speaker for the June meeting of the Spokane Inflammatory Bowel Disease Support Group. Shelby will discuss insurance options available in Washington for those with chronic illnesses.

The meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. June 4 in the Mother Joseph Room of Sacred Heart Medical Center.