Rain can't dampen spirit at Idaho Fuller Center fundraiser

By Nicole Nolan
Shoshone News Press

KELLOGG, Ida. – Saturday morning rain couldn’t dampen the community spirit at the 13th annual Walk-a-Thon, a fundraising event for the Silver Valley Fuller Center for Housing, formerly Habitat for Humanity.

Volunteers and participants gathered under the awning at Kellogg Middle School in preparation for a three-mile walk to raise funds for purchasing building materials to construct Fuller Center for Housing homes.

A total of 21 walkers swathed in jackets and armed with umbrellas turned out for this year’s event, raising a total of $710 for the organization.

"I wish we had more walkers and more money pledged," admitted Judy Blalack, public relations and fundraising chair for the Silver Valley Fuller Center for Housing. "We were competing with the rain and other events at the same time."

Traditionally the Walk-a-Thon is held on the same day each year, and Blalack didn’t want to break tradition because of a few rain clouds. Participants walked from the middle school to the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes toward Smelterville, where a 1.5 mile marker had been established as a turn-around point.

"Any time we can make some funds, that’s good for us," Blalack said. In future years she hopes to see more children turn out for the fundraiser – only two showed up for the event this year.

"I would like to see someone from every business or office be willing to walk and represent their peers and coworkers," Blalack added. "It makes a strong difference in the valley."

Registered participants were also entered into a drawing for a wide variety of prizes donated by area businesses, including a candy bouquet from JB’s Country Garden and a variety of items from Bitterroot Mercantile, Indelible Tidbits, Salon 107, The Health Nut and the Oasis Museum, among others.

"We were delighted that people came and shared their morning with us," Blalack said.

Find out more about the Silver Valley Fuller Center in Idaho.

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