Angels honor memories, do good deeds
Nearly a decade has passed since a tragic car accident took the life of Kathy Pelland, an admired Sandpoint supporter. But this is one case where gone is definitely not forgotten.
Surely, Pelland would be delighted to learn how strongly her legacy lives on thanks to the efforts of a few close friends. What began with a simple desire to preserve the memory of a dear friend has evolved into one of the best-known good-deed groups in North Idaho – The Angels Over Sandpoint.
“We had a fundraiser dance to raise money to have a memorial made in (Kathy’s) name,” said Paula Marcinko, one of the group’s founding members. “We gave $3,000 to help with Sandpoint’s bicycle path and had a bench made which sits by Dog Beach on the path.”
After that initial success, the group decided to continue good works in not only Pelland’s name, but also the names of other good Sandpoint people who had died. Today, Angels Over Sandpoint has grown to some 45 members and is affectionately referred to as “the area’s most wacky charity organizers.”
No doubt the “wacky” reputation stems from their largest annual fundraiser, The Follies – a racy and ridiculous compilation of skits, songs and routines preformed by local residents. The fifth annual Follies will be presented next Saturday at the Panida Theatre in Sandpoint. In its first year, 2003, the event raised more than $10,000, a quarter of which was donated to the Community Cancer Services Center to get its program up and running. The remaining proceeds went to help others in need in Bonner County.
As the popularity of The Follies has increased, so have the benefits to the community. For the past three years, the Angels have teamed with the Festival at Sandpoint to offer a $1,000 fine arts scholarship dedicated to encouraging community youth to excel in the arts. Its focus rotates annually to include various aspects of art such as visual arts and theater/dance, writing and vocal performance. The 2006 recipient was Sandpoint High School sophomore Allie Brotherton, who wrote a compelling piece about diversity and tolerance. A $1,000 community service scholarship is awarded each year as well.
The Follies may be the Angels largest fundraiser, but it’s certainly not the only one.
“We sell Christmas cards,” Marcinko said. “And we’ve done a cookbook and are now working on our second. In the past we’ve had Halloween dances, Spring Fling dances, New Year’s Eve dances, and hope to (have more) in the future.”
In its 10 years in operation, Angels Over Sandpoint has amassed an amazing number of accomplishments. Some of the good deeds are well-known – such as the 750 backpacks filled with school supplies donated to Bonner County children, or the money given to assist Kinderhaven and the Bonner County Human Rights Task Force. But many of the deeds are lesser known, which goes hand in hand with the group’s mission.
“The mission of Angels Over Sandpoint is to honor the memory of the angels who have gone before us … to help those in need,” Marcinko said. “We try to assist those who ‘fall through the cracks’ and are not eligible for social services but desperately need a little help.”
In the past, that’s meant supplying gas money to cancer patients needing to make frequent trips to Coeur d’Alene for treatment, assisting families who have suffered a sudden loss of income, or lost homes or belongings in a fire. It’s also meant providing money for children wanting to take part in sports programs they otherwise couldn’t afford to join.
Then there are deeds that may touch the life of only one appreciative individual, deeds that involve, not money, but the precious gift of time – a couple of hours to stack firewood or prepare dinner for a cancer patient weakened by treatment; an hour to pull weeds for an elderly gardener.
Of course, all these good deeds require a lot of volunteers, and Marcinko invites anyone wanting to learn more about the Angels to attend one of their monthly meetings, generally held every second Tuesday of the month at Di Luna’s on Cedar Street in downtown Sandpoint.
“We’re always looking for people to join,” Marcinko said. “They can help out with fundraisers, dances, etc. There are opportunities for all kinds of interests.”