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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Employee-Friendly Firms To Be Honored

Nancy Slack Correspondent

While attending to the bottom line is certainly an understood goal for businesses everywhere, the process taken to achieve that goal can vary greatly from one organization to the next. Some employers are finding that implementation of policies that offer opportunities for career advancement while supporting family lives lead to employee loyalty, tenure and productivity.

Employees are invited to nominate their workplaces for the second annual Family-a-Fair Workplace Award contest, sponsored by Holy Family Hospital. The award is an opportunity to recognize leaders in the business community who are creating innovative programs and policies that support employees’ personal lives.

A nomination questionnaire, available through the Family-a-Fair office, evaluates employer policies by examining pay and benefits; opportunities for advancement; and child and family care flexibility.

Award certificates will be presented to an employer in each of three categories based on number of employees. The employee submitting the winning nomination in each category will receive a family prize package that includes a family fun outing and a night out for parents.

Awards and prizes will be presented at an April 1 luncheon at the Ridpath Hotel. Call 456-3733 for more information.

More fund-raising

YWCA’s annual benefit breakfast fund-raiser will be at 7:30 a.m. March 27 at the Ag Trade Center. This year’s featured guest will be Olympic gold medalist Sheryl Swoopes Jackson.

She is not only an outstanding female athlete but also a motivating speaker. Jackson wrote an inspirational book for children, “Bounce Back,” describing her childhood and the obstacles she overcame to reach her current success.

For reservations, call the YWCA at 326-1190, ext. 133.

The doors open at 5:30 p.m. March 8 for silent auction viewing and bidding for the Spokane Guilds’ School’s 16th annual auction at Gonzaga University’s student union building. Dinner, at 7 p.m., will be followed by a live auction at 8 p.m.

More than 250 items will be available during the silent auction. Auction items include Hawaiian condo vacations; autographed sports items; restaurant gift certificates; assorted tools; entertainment tickets; and weekend getaways.

Spokane Guilds’ School and Neuromuscular Center is a comprehensive assessment and treatment center for children from birth to age 3 who exhibit developmental delays. The program is family-based and treatment programs are individually tailored to meet child and family needs.

Tickets are $35, available through the school (326-1651) or G&B Select-a-Seat outlets (325-SEAT).

The Muscular Dystrophy Association is selling shamrock mobiles at local pubs, restaurants, grocery stores and convenience stores in its Shamrock Against Dystrophy fund-raiser. The mobiles sell for $1 and $5 each.

Funds raised through the sale will help support MDA’s many programs, including free comprehensive local medical clinics, summer camp for children aged 6-21, support groups and help with purchase of wheelchairs, as well as funding for research to find treatments and a cure for the progressive muscular disease.

Funding notes

Foundation Northwest has announced the awarding of $223,700 in grants to nonprofit organizations. A majority of the funds, $185,400, was given to local organizations from the foundation’s fall grant cycle. The fall cycle was the first to be completed since the Spokane foundation received $5.25 million from the Leuthold Foundation for its endowment.

“We had an overwhelming number of responses to our fall grant cycle,” said Peter Jackson, president. “Because of the Leuthold endowment, we were able to double the number of projects funded. Spokane can be proud of the high quality of its community organizations, and we are proud to be a part of their work.”

Since its establishment in 1974, the foundation has awarded more than $8 million in grants to nonprofits to improve the quality of life in its service area. The foundation is currently reviewing applications submitted for its second grant cycle. Preliminary applications for its third cycle will be accepted until March 1.

Applications for Foundation Northwest scholarships must be submitted by March 10 for the 1997-98 academic year. Brochures and applications are available from senior counselors at area high schools and at the Spokane Public Library’s main branch.

The foundation awards more than $60,000 annually from 10 different funds established to benefit Inland Northwest students. Requirements vary for each fund according to the intent of the fund donor.

New funds and donations to existing scholarships benefiting area students are welcome any time. Inquire about tax-deductible contributions at Foundation Northwest, 421 W. Riverside, Suite 400.

The following WAMPUM beneficiaries were announced Feb. 18 during the organization’s semiannual meeting: Allegro Baroque and Beyond, Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre, EWSHS/Cheney Cowles Museum, Greater Spokane Music and Allied Arts Festival, Holy Names Music Center, Inland Northwest Men’s Chorus, Interplayers, KPBX-Spokane Public Radio, Lake City Playhouse, Music for Youth, Spokane Area Children’s Chorus, Spokane Art School, Spokane British Brass Band, Spokane Chamber Music Society, Spokane Civic Theatre, Spokane Dixieland Festival, Spokane Symphony, Spokane Youth Symphony, Theatre Ballet, Uptown Opera and Zephyr.

WAMPUM is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the support of numerous charitable, civic, cultural and education organizations that contribute to a higher quality of life in the Inland Northwest. Since 1968, WAMPUM has given more than $3 million to the support of the arts.

A goal has been set to raise more than $300,000 during WAMPUM’s annual black-tie gala event April 26 at the Ag Trade Center. That money will be distributed to the 18 beneficiaries just announced after the group’s annual meeting in June. Tickets, at $125, are available through the WAMPUM office, 747-3817.

Members of Gamma Epsilon Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha sorority were volunteers for the January KDRK radiothon benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Pledges and cash donations during the radiothon totaled $90,488.

Epsilon Sigma Alpha, an international sorority, has donated more than $2 million to the hospital. St. Jude Children’s Hospital conducts basic and clinical research into catastrophic childhood diseases, mainly cancer.

Reminders

The deadline for submitting nominations for the 15th annual Volunteer of the Year Golden Rule Award is Monday. Application are available by calling United Way’s Volunteer Center (624-2279 or 838-6581). Individuals as well as organizations may be nominated based on volunteer contributions to the community between April 17, 1996 and March 31, 1997. Nominees are not limited to those connected with United Way organizations or services.

Head down to the Ridpath Hotel today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the last day of the Western Art and Wildlife Show. While there, stop by the Cancer Patient Care booth and purchase a few $1 raffle tickets for the opportunity to win either western boots, spur straps or a fur hat.

Each year, Gary and Clara McGlasson donate a pair of exquisitely crafted, custom handmade McGlasson boots to be raffled at the show. This year, McGlasson’s boots are joined by hand-tooled spur straps from Indian Creek Saddlery and a fur J.B. Dillon hat from HAV Western Wear.

Funds raised through the raffle enable Cancer Patient Care to provide home health-care equipment from a loan closet; medical equipment and supplies; food supplements; wigs; household goods; clothing assistance; counseling; extended family support; community outreach and education; and financial assistance for prescription, chemotherapy, radiation, transportation and emergency needs.