Thousands Raised For Kids In Need

Large water jugs sported signs reading, “help prevent child abuse.”

The containers filled with coins and dollar bills as the Child Abuse Prevention fund-raiser - or CAP-athon - wrapped up its final day of raising money Saturday to help kids in need.

More than $8,000 was raised over three days. The fourth annual event aired over KVNI AM-1080 and was held at Silver Lake Mall. More than 200 radio listeners and mall visitors contributed.

Proceeds will help three nonprofit organizations - The Children’s Village, Idaho Child Abuse Response and Education, and the Court Appointed Special Advocate Program.

“I’ve seen more kids put money in there than adults,” remarked Sheilah Stone, administrations director at The Children’s Village, a foster group home and rehabilitation center.

The fund-raiser began “because there’s so many children in need in Kootenai County,” said Stone. The Children’s Village, a 10-year-old program, has helped more than 400 kids, she said.

“Everybody’s helped these kids,” said Stone. “They are succeeding and they’re happy.”

Currently, 21 kids are in the village’s program, according to Stone.

The fund-raiser marks a step toward the ultimate goal of providing a resource center for families in Kootenai County, said Tinka Schaffer, vice president of The Children’s Village board of directors.

The center would be a “one-stop mall” for family and children services, including a research lab, parenting classes, lawyers and counselors - even case workers - “all under one roof,” Schaffer said.

“There will be wonderful things going on there,” she said. “When you’re homeless and in a crisis, you can’t go all over town and sign up for these things.”

Combined, all three agencies have more than 150 volunteers looking out for the best interests of children, Stone said. Methamphetamine use and domestic violence are two of the biggest problems children are exposed to by their parents, she said.

A chief priority of the Idaho Child Abuse Response and Education is to keep families intact, said Morgan Richardson, director.

This sidebar appeared with the story: DONATE

To donate to CAP, send money to P.O.

Box 2000, Post Falls, ID 83877