Cda Woman Wants To Give Kids, Parents A Break

Tinka Schaffer winces each time Alex Buss’ angelic face is in the newspaper.

A jury recently decided Kevin Merwin’s abuse killed the blond 2-year-old boy last summer.

“I can’t say we could’ve prevented Alex’s death,” Tinka says. “But we might be able to save other children.”

Her plan is simple: open a nursery where troubled parents can leave their children for up to three days at no charge. No one would ask questions. No one would report them. No one would judge them.

“We’re not here to be punitive or take the baby away,” she says. “If you’re afraid of hurting your baby and you call us, you’re a responsible parent.”

Tinka is on course to open such a crisis nursery at Coeur d’Alene’s Children’s Village this June. A recent pledge drive for Kootenai County children’s causes raised $14,000. She’s hoping some of that money will go toward cribs, changing tables, baby supplies, remodeling.

She’s taken babies before at Children’s Village, where she is director. She cared for three babies while their mothers underwent cancer treatments last year. She sheltered the baby of a pregnant mother who needed time to pull herself together after her boyfriend deserted her.

Tinka will have room for only three babies in the house that already shelters nine or 10 older kids. So she will screen parents. Are their worlds falling apart or are they too lazy to hunt for day care?

She has arranged emergency spots with Coeur d’Alene day cares for those times when demand is high.

“That was my biggest burden,” she says. “I had to know we wouldn’t have to turn people away without somewhere to send them.”

Parents who have no money for gas usually have no money for day care and sometimes, in desperation, leave their children with the wrong people - substance abusers, other stressed parents. Tinka wants to offer an alternative and maybe save a few young lives.

“We can put a child in a safe environment until the crisis is past and help the parent find the support to turn things around,” she says. “It’s what used to happen 50 years ago - neighbors helping neighbors.”

To help Children’s Village with its crisis nursery, send donations to 1350 W. Hanley Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814.

Nerds only

Coeur d’Alene’s Skip Frazier can’t find enough to do. He works as a mental health counselor in private practice all day, volunteers at Lake City Health Care every week and directs plays at Lake City Playhouse.

His latest artistic venture is “The Nerd.” Skip can’t even talk about playwright Larry Shue’s comedy without laughing. What would you do if the person who saved your life was a nerd?

“The Nerd” closes May 4. Call 667-1323 for tickets.

Big Mac attack

Remember Pfc. Ed Starr? His family in Bayview has shelled out big money since last Christmas for telephone talks with Ed. He’s driving trucks for the U.S. Army along the Hungarian/Croatian border.

Ed’s coming home Wednesday for two weeks, then heads back to Croatia. He’ll stay stateside just long enough to marry Angie Lickfold and pick up some Big Macs for his Army buddies. Wonder which was higher priority?…

Dining in style

My daughter and I flew home from Seattle last week with some students who wore tuxedoes and sequined gowns. Luckily we sat close enough to hear these gorgeous kids tell their story to the flight attendant.

It was prom night in Spokane so this group flew to Seattle for dinner before the dance. The cost of the flight apparently didn’t leave much for dining. They carried fast-food bags.

Who do you know who went - or is going - all out for the prom and what did they do? Celebrate their style with Cynthia Taggart, “Close to Home,” 608 Northwest Blvd., Suite 200, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814; fax to 765-7149; or call 765-7128.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo