Catching up with the Idaho Foodbank

Lots of news to report this week.

You’ve probably seen some of the coverage about the current “Fat for Food” drive in which two men are challenging their fellow Idahoans to join them in losing 10,000 pounds over the summer. If they pull it off (take it off?), corporate sponsors will have to pony up 10,000 pounds of food to the Idaho Foodbank.

Summer Safety Fair

Ada County Paramedics and St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center host the first Summer Safety Fair, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, near the St. Alphonsus helipad, 1055 N. Curtis Rd. in Boise.

Meridian High alumni help out the Idaho Foodbank

Mary Lorah, a member of the Meridian High School class of 1954, said that when she and the other attendees of this year’s reunion found an extra $300 extra dollars in their reunion fund, it was an easy call to give it to the Idaho Foodbank.

“We thought with the conditions today, there was no sense of leaving it in a bank account when so many people need so many things,” Lorah said. She and her classmates will take a check to the Idaho Foodbank on Wednesday morning.

Special Olympics Idaho hosts biggest games ever...and needs volunteers

The 36th annual Special Olympics Idaho State Summer Games are coming to Boise. Opening ceremonies are Friday, competitions are Saturday. These are the biggest state games to date, with more than 700 athletes pre-registered for competition in aquatics, track and field, cycling, basketball and power lifting.

Here is your schedule of festivities:

Mark C. Ellis Memorial Fundraiser brings in the bucks

Readers of this blog may remember Chyrisa Quincy. After her son, Mark Ellis, 22, died in a car accident in 2006, she decided to battle her grief by organizing an annual fundraiser in his memory.

This year, that fundraiser took place in May at the Albertsons in Eagle. All kinds of local businesses and organizations donated prizes to be raffled, and Quincy manned the fundraiser the whole time, seated next to a big photograph of her son.

Fire Department gets help from local golf tournament

Good news is expected Friday for the Boise Fire Department's fire prevention programs, and the Boise Fire Union Local 149 Burnout Fund. The second annual Light My Fire Gold Tournament will give a donation of approximately $7,000 to the causes at Warm Springs Golf Course on Friday afternoon.

The Boise Fire Union Burnout Fund helps support families burned out of their homes.

Raffle Rifle for Boise Rescue Mission

Heatherwood's ‘Spring into Summer Fling’ benefits Idaho Foodbank

Heatherwood Retirement Community is hosting the festivities, which include a food drive (bring your non-perishables to donate), a battle of the bands (with family friendly performances), a barbeque, jump house and water slide for kids and more.

Check it out, bring those cans, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., June 20, 5277 Kootenai St., Boise. Admission: $7.50 in advance, $9 at the door (all proceeds to The Idaho Foodbank).

There are lots of things going on in the nonprofit world today, starting with a little good news about local donations. Then we venture into the natural world with a water-wise garden tour led by Idaho Rivers United, a few different ways to celebrate World Refugee Day on June 20, and a creative garage sale fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club. 

Also note, the Helping Works blog will be on a brief hiatus until Thursday, June 18. Catch up with you then, and please keep me in the loop about local nonprofits.

Idaho truckers convoy to support Special Olympics Idaho

Well, if you happen to see about 100 big rigs in a row on Friday — and chances are you will, because how can you miss that kind of thing? — know that it’s a special convoy meant to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics Idaho.

The rigs will leave from the Western Idaho Fairgrounds at 11 a.m., then parade through downtown Boise, and end in Caldwell at the Canyon County Fairgrounds/Gabiola Field.

Lecture: Christian religious art of iconography

Matthew Garrett, a master iconographer from Pennsylvania, will lecture on the ancient Christian art of iconography.

Several icons, donated by Garrett, will also be on display. The lecture is at 7 p.m., Friday, June 12 at the Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Christian Church, 800 N. 25th St., Boise. A $5 donation is suggested. For more about the church, check the website.