The first North Idaho Day of Hope at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds really put the "unity" back in "community." With blue shirts and beaming smiles, more than 1,100 volunteers greeted, assisted and visited with guests and their families Saturday as they stopped at different stations to receive food, clothing, services and other items at no cost. People went this way and that as live music played and the joyful sound of children's laughter could be heard everywhere in the bustling thoroughfare. "We hope it's the beginning of something very beautiful," said Rodney Wright of Coeur d'Alene, who worked as a connection team leader. Nearly 80 organizations and businesses in the community donated money, items or were on site to provide free items and services, ranging from pregnancy tests, job counseling and haircuts to family portraits, dental care and bags of groceries, all with no questions asked. More than 5,000 people came through/Tess Freeman, Coeur d'Alene Press. More here.

DFO: Mrs. O and several good friends of mine were Day of Hope volunteers. They describe the event as amazing. Were you involved in any way?