Club of Coeur d'Alene
Chartered June 16, 1922
Kids Need Kiwanis
New Officers and Directors Elected for 2026–2027
At the May 6 meeting of the Kiwanis Club of Coeur d’Alene, members elected the Club’s Officers and Directors for the 2026–2027 fiscal year. The newly elected leadership team will officially begin serving on October 1, 2026.
The following members were elected to leadership positions:
- Kim Cummings — President
- Jeanie Nugent — Vice President and President-Elect
- Matt Palmer — Treasurer
Newly elected Directors include:
- Linda Mayers — Director (2-year term)
- Chad Krahn — Director (2-year term)
- Freda Campbell — Director (continuing with a new 2-year term)
The following Directors will continue serving during the second year of their current terms:
- Shirley Lindberg
- Michelle Gonzalez
- Debbie Magnusen
- Lavonne Vinson
In addition, Kathy Bush will be confirmed as Club Secretary as the first order of business when the new Board convenes. Mike Lane will become Immediate Past President and Membership Chair.
The Club also recognized and thanked two outgoing Directors who are completing their terms of service on the Board:
- Dick Jurvelin
- Lindsay Patterson
We are deeply grateful for the leadership, dedication, and countless hours of volunteer service that Dick and Lindsay have provided during their time on the Board. Strong community organizations depend on members who are willing to step forward and lead, and their contributions have helped strengthen both our Club and our impact in the community.
The Club also wishes to express its deep appreciation to outgoing Immediate Past President Megan Tollackson for her years of dedicated leadership and service. During her tenure, Megan launched and established the Club’s Impact Committees, helping members become more directly engaged in meaningful community service initiatives. She also created the now-annual SLP (Service Leadership Program) Banquet, which celebrates and honors the outstanding work of our Key Club and Aktion Club members. In addition, Megan played an important role in building momentum for the Club’s membership efforts and strengthening engagement within the organization. Her commitment, energy, and passion for Kiwanis have made a lasting impact on the Club, and we are grateful that she will continue to remain actively involved even after retiring from Club office.
The Kiwanis Club of Coeur d’Alene looks forward to another exciting year of service under the guidance of this outstanding leadership team as we continue our mission of serving the children of the world — one child and one community at a time.
Kiwanis Club of Coeur d’Alene Welcomes Two New Members
At the May 6, 2026 meeting of the Kiwanis Club of Coeur d’Alene, the Club proudly welcomed two new members into our Kiwanis family — Brad Wagner and Mary Bren.
The induction ceremony was led by Megan Tollackson, Immediate Past President and current Membership Chair, who spoke about the core precepts and tenets of Kiwanis and the importance of service to children and the community. Club President Mike Lane also participated in the ceremony as the Club formally recognized and welcomed our newest members.
Brad Wagner was sponsored by his wife, Jeanie Nugent, while Mary Bren was sponsored by Matt Palmer. Both new members have already demonstrated a strong heart for service and a desire to make a positive difference in our community — values that are at the very core of Kiwanis.
Following the induction, the entire Club rose in applause to warmly welcome Brad and Mary as official members of the Kiwanis Club of Coeur d’Alene.
We are excited about the energy, compassion, and commitment they bring to our organization and look forward to serving alongside them in the months and years ahead. Strong clubs are built by people who are willing to step forward and invest in their community, and we are grateful to have Brad and Mary join us in that mission.
Welcome to Kiwanis, Brad and Mary!
Header Photograph: (left to right) Jeanie Nugent, Brad Wagner, Mary Bren, Matt Palmer, Megan Tollackson, Mike Lane
Kiwanis Club of Coeur d’Alene Awards 2026 Large Grant to City on a Hill Behavioral Health Center
The Kiwanis Club of Coeur d’Alene is proud to announce that the recipient of its 2026 $5,000 Large Grant Award is City on a Hill Behavioral Health Center.
This year’s grant cycle drew ten applications, all representing highly worthwhile causes. Following several hours of thoughtful discussion in a special board meeting, the Club selected the organization that best aligns with Kiwanis’ mission and offers the greatest potential impact for children in need in our community. While the decision was not an easy one, City on a Hill stood out for its focused approach and meaningful reach.
City on a Hill Behavioral Health Center is a Christ-centered nonprofit dedicated to providing accessible, affordable, and biblically integrated mental health care. Serving youth and families throughout North Idaho, the organization offers professional, evidence-based services—including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and family and marital counseling—while integrating spiritual support to care for the whole person: mind, body, and spirit. In partnership with Real Life Ministries, the center continues to expand its impact in addressing critical mental health needs in the region.
Grant funds will be used to purchase a vital psychological assessment tool that will enable clinicians to provide comprehensive diagnostic testing for children suspected of having Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Specifically, the funding will support acquisition of the Integrated Visual and Auditory Continuous Performance Test (IVA-2 CPT), a clinically validated instrument that provides objective measurement of attention, impulse control, and self-regulation in children and adolescents.
The addition of this evidence-based assessment system will address one of the clinic’s most pressing needs. Requests for psychological testing—particularly to assist with differential diagnosis among school-age children experiencing attention, behavioral, or learning challenges—have grown significantly. At the same time, there is a severe shortage of providers in our region with access to tools like the IVA-2 CPT, often resulting in long wait times or limited access to timely evaluations for families seeking help.
Until now, City on a Hill has not had access to this essential instrument. The Kiwanis grant will help close that gap—expanding local capacity, reducing delays in diagnosis, and ultimately enabling more timely, accurate care for children and their families.
Photograph: (left to right) Don Lindberg, Mike Wraith (City on a Hill Executive Director), Mike Lane, Shirley Lindberg, Matt Palmer
Open Arms Brings Hope and Support to Local Families
At our most recent Kiwanis Club of Coeur d’Alene meeting, we were honored to welcome Vicki Scribner, Executive Director of Open Arms Real Choices Clinic, as our guest speaker. Vicki shared an inspiring overview of the organization’s mission and the meaningful impact it is making throughout North Idaho.
Open Arms is a fully donor-supported, family-centered organization dedicated to supporting mothers, fathers, and children through a wide range of services—all offered at no cost to clients. With a growing team of 17 staff members and more than 50 volunteers, the organization provides close to 2,000 client visits each year, delivering both practical resources and personal encouragement to families navigating pregnancy and early parenthood.
Their services extend far beyond basic assistance. Open Arms offers free pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, certified lactation consulting, child development screenings, along with essential items such as car seats and pack-n-plays, a boutique where families receive baby items free of charge, and a strong emphasis on education and personal development. Programs include parenting classes, support for single mothers, and a new moms group that fosters connection, encouragement, and community. As highlighted in their materials, the organization is committed to providing “lab-quality pregnancy testing, options counseling, parenting classes, and early child development support”.
One of the most exciting developments Vicki shared is a growing focus on engaging fathers. Their new initiatives—including the “Diaper Dads” program—emphasize responsibility, involvement, and the critical role fathers play in strong, healthy families. This intentional outreach reflects Open Arms’ holistic approach to strengthening the entire family unit.
Open Arms operates with a clear mission to provide compassionate care, practical support, and life-affirming resources to those in need. As noted in their handout, they aim to “empower people to make life-affirming choices through education, compassion, and pregnancy-related services” .
We are grateful to Vicki for sharing the story of Open Arms and for the important work her organization is doing in our community. Their commitment to serving families with dignity, care, and support is truly making a difference.
For more information on how you can volunteer or partner with Open Arms, click Here.
Photograph: Vicki Scribner (left) and Jeannie Nugent
Newby-ginnings – Helping the Veteran Community
Our Club was honored to welcome Theresa Hart, Executive Director and Founder of Newby-ginnings, as the guest speaker at our April 15, 2026 meeting.
Newby-ginnings of North Idaho was established in October 2013 to honor the memory of SPC Nicholas Newby, who was killed in action in Baghdad, Iraq, on July 7, 2011. Their mission is to support Veterans, Active Duty Military, and Gold Star Families by providing essential personal and household items—along with guidance and referrals—all at no cost.
Theresa shared the story of the organization’s beginnings and its remarkable growth over the years. At its core, Newby-ginnings operates much like a large thrift store—without price tags—where eligible individuals can “shop” for items they need. But its impact goes far beyond that. The organization also provides critical resources, support, and a welcoming sense of community for those it serves.
Newby-ginnings partners with numerous local retailers, charitable organizations, and community supporters, and operates without government funding. Despite having just three employees, the organization thrives thanks to the dedication of a large volunteer base. Today, they serve approximately 200 families per day and have more than 7,500 Veteran families enrolled in their program.
As the organization has grown, so has the need for space. Newby-ginnings is currently operating well beyond the capacity of its 9,000-square-foot facility. Plans are underway to relocate to a 20,000-square-foot building—targeted for June or July—which will significantly expand both their “retail” area and, just as importantly, provide enhanced community space for Veterans and their families to connect and support one another.
The Club extends its sincere thanks to Theresa for her years of dedicated service to our community. We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with her and the entire Newby-ginnings team.
Photograph: (left to right) Freda Campbell, Theresa Hart, Mike Lane (Club President)
Kiwanis Volunteers Help Feed Over 400 Families at April Mobile Market
On April 14, volunteers from the Kiwanis Club of Coeur d’Alene joined forces with team members from Wells Fargo and the Community United Methodist Church’s United Women of Faith to host a food distribution event through the Second Harvest Mobile Market. Second Harvest Inland Northwest works to provide nutritious food to those in need across our region, and we were proud to play a role in that mission.
Ten Kiwanis volunteers along with 30 other volunteers helped repackage and distribute more than 79,000 pounds of food to families in need as vehicles made their way through a well-organized drive-through route in the church parking lot. Our “stretch goal” was to serve 350 families—but by the end of the day, we had reached 403 households, exceeding expectations and making an even greater impact in the community.
The need was clear from the start. Cars began lining up as early as 7:00 a.m., well ahead of the scheduled 11:00 a.m. opening. In response, we began distributing food at 10:30, and for the next two and a half hours, the flow of vehicles never slowed. It was hard work, but the team quickly found a rhythm, and the time flew by as we worked together to serve our neighbors.
“Volunteers make events like this possible,” said Todd Kennedy, Second Harvest’s Mobile Market lead. “And this group not only lends their hands, they do it with a big heart, helping get food to hungry neighbors.”
Events like this are both humbling and rewarding. Seeing the gratitude from those we serve—and the teamwork among volunteers—reminds us why we do what we do. Our club participates in several of these distributions each year, and each one reinforces our commitment to making a meaningful difference in our community. We are looking forward to the next event scheduled for July 15.
Photograph: (left to right) Club members Peter Matousek, Shirley Lindberg, Don Lindberg, Linda Mayers
Scout Brown – April 2026 Student of the Month
The Kiwanis Club of Coeur d’Alene was proud to recognize Scout Brown as our April 2026 Student of the Month at our most recent meeting. Scout was joined by her mother, Gina, and was introduced by Kiwanis member Dick Jurvelin, who shared highlights from her impressive biography. From the moment her accomplishments were presented, it was clear that Scout is an exceptional young woman who embodies the values of leadership, service, and academic excellence.
A senior at Lake City High School, Scout has distinguished herself with an outstanding 4.147 GPA while taking on a challenging academic load that includes honors, AP, and dual-credit courses. She has been deeply involved in school life as a four-year cheerleader, serving as JV captain and competing at the varsity level, while also contributing through student council, where she now serves as ASB Treasurer. In addition to her academic and leadership achievements, Scout is actively engaged in organizations such as National Honor Society, Key Club, and the Outdoor Studies Program.
Beyond the classroom, Scout’s commitment to serving others truly sets her apart. She founded and leads Lake City Thrift, demonstrating both initiative and a heart for her community. She also gives her time as a middle school cheer coach, a Young Life student leader, and an active member of her church, all while maintaining a job in downtown Coeur d’Alene. Known for her kindness, empathy, and ability to uplift those around her, Scout plans to attend North Idaho College before pursuing a degree in elementary education. We congratulate Scout and her family on this well-deserved honor and look forward to seeing the positive impact she will continue to make.
KTEC Update Highlights Growth and Opportunity
Bill White from the Kootenai Technical Education Campus (KTEC) joined us at our April 8 meeting to share an update on the campus’s programs and recent developments.
KTEC is a dynamic partnership between business and industry leaders, local school districts, and regional manufacturers. The campus provides tuition-free, industry-level training for high school juniors and seniors, offering dual enrollment credits, industry certifications, and a practical pathway to career success through applied, hands-on learning. Students can explore a wide range of technical fields, including automotive repair, healthcare, welding, and residential construction. A recently introduced plumbing program has already proven to be especially popular. Many KTEC programs also offer credit that counts toward apprenticeship requirements, giving students a strong head start as they enter the workforce.
KTEC serves students from eight local public high schools in three districts, as well as private and homeschooled students. Demand for enrollment has historically exceeded capacity, often resulting in long waiting lists. In response, the KTEC Board recently approved a schedule change that has increased student capacity by approximately 30%—from about 580 to nearly 800 students annually.
KTEC continues to play a vital role in strengthening our local workforce by preparing students with the practical skills and certifications needed to succeed in high-demand careers—benefiting both the students and the broader North Idaho community.
Photograph: (left to right) Jim DeShazer, Bill White (KETC), Matt Palmer (Treasurer), Mike Lane (President)
Shantaya Esler – March 2026 Student of the Month
We honored our March 2026 Student of the Month – Shantaya Esler – during our April 8 meeting. Dick Jurvelin presented Shantaya with her scholarship check and certificate, and Certificate. Her list of leadership and academic accomplishments is very impressive, and will launch her to a successful career in whatever field she chooses to pursue.
Photograph: Shantaya is joined by Dick Jurvelin (left) and her Mom (right)
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Kiwanis Club of Coeur d'Alene
The Kiwanis Club of Coeur d' Alene meets every Wednesday except the last of the month from noon to 1pm at MacKenzie River Pizza , 405 W. Canfield Ave.
Anyone welcome to join us for a meeting to see what we're all about!
We'd like to thank Amanda Krier and Nicole Hammons of safe Safe Passage Violence Prevention Center for taking the time to update us on all the important work they're doing at our meeting on July 22. Click here for more information: k00801.site.kiwanis.org/amanda-krier-and-nicole-hammons-safe-passage/
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Looking for a meaningful way to make a difference in our community?
The Kiwanis Club of Coeur d'Alene is a group of neighbors, friends, and volunteers dedicated to improving the lives of children and strengthening our community through service.
Whether it's supporting local schools, organizing food distributions, recognizing outstanding students, partnering with other nonprofits, or participating in projects like Wreaths Across America, we're committed to making a positive impact—one project at a time.
If you've ever wondered what Kiwanis is all about, or if you're looking for a way to give back while building lasting friendships, we'd love to meet you.
🌐 Visit our website to learn more about:
• Our service projects
• Upcoming events
• Membership
• How you can get involved
• The impact we're making throughout North Idaho
👉 www.KiwanisCDA.org
Visitors are always welcome at our weekly meetings. Come see what we're all about!
Together, we can make a difference in the lives of children and our community.
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Help Us Honor Our Veterans
The Kiwanis Club of Coeur d'Alene is proud to support Wreaths Across America. Every $17 wreath sponsored honors a veteran and helps ensure that no hero is forgotten.
Donate here: www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/142512/overview/
Thank you for helping us Remember • Honor • Teach.
Check-out the Wreaths Across America Page that I Support!
www.wreathsacrossamerica.org
Wreaths Across America ("WAA") coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies every December to "Remember, Honor, and Teach" about the sacrifices made by our veterans and their families. Please check out this p...0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Posted: May 19, 2026 by Matt Palmer Leave a Comment
CdA Press Article on Large Grant Award
Our Club’s Large Grant Award to City on a Hill Behavioral Health Center was featured in an article in the Coeur d’Alene Press Recently