Nampa Woman To Meet Gingrich

House Speaker Newt Gingrich will extend his January visit to Boise for 30 minutes to meet an Idaho woman who has made a home for more than 300 abused, neglected and abandoned children.

Donnalee Velvick, who started the Hope House in Nampa in 1973, will bring along 53 members of her family and staff to meet Gingrich on Jan. 10 before he appears at a fund-raiser for 1st District Republican Rep. Helen Chenoweth.

Velvick operates the Hope House without federal or state welfare assistance and relies instead on support from private donors.

Nancy Bloomer, spokeswoman for the Chenoweth campaign, said they arranged the meeting so Gingrich could learn more about Western issues and the Hope House.

Hope House is currently home for 42 children under age 18, nine residents are ages 18 and 19, and nine are young adults. Some members of the Hope House family have exceptional emotional, mental or physical needs.