Club of Coeur d'Alene
Chartered June 16, 1922
Kids Need Kiwanis
Welcome Bill Bell – our Newest Club Member!
On April 1, 2026, the Kiwanis Club of Coeur d’Alene proudly welcomed its newest member, Bill Bell! We’re thrilled to have Bill join our Club and are excited for the energy, passion, and commitment to service he brings as we continue making a difference in our community.
Photograph: (left to right) Mike Lane (President), Megan Tollackson (Past President and Membership Chair), Bill Bell, Matt Palmer (Treasurer and Bill’s sponsor)
Go, Chiefs, Go… or Go, Comets, Go?
The evening of March 21, 2026 brought a special “turn-back-the-clock” tribute at Spokane Arena, as the Spokane Chiefs honored the historic Spokane Comets (1959–1963). For one night, the Chiefs took on the Comets name and donned vintage-inspired jerseys—later auctioned off to benefit local charities.
Members of the Kiwanis Club of Coeur d’Alene gathered for a fun and memorable night at the arena, cheering on the home team in front of a sell-out crowd. After a competitive start, Spokane found its rhythm late in the first period and never looked back, powering their way to an impressive 6–1 victory over the Tri-City Americans.
It’s safe to say the enthusiastic support from our Kiwanis group didn’t hurt!
Most importantly, it was a great opportunity to spend time together and enjoy an exciting evening of hockey, community, and camaraderie.
North Idaho College
At our March 18, 2026 meeting, representatives from North Idaho College (NIC) joined us to share an encouraging update on the College’s progress and future direction. The presentation was led by NIC President Dr. Nick Swayne, along with Rayelle Anderson, Executive Director, and Melanie Droesch, Development Operations Manager.
The presentation provided an upbeat and forward-looking overview of NIC’s current position and its near- to mid-term plans.
The Trustee Board governance challenges of recent years have now been resolved, and NIC’s accreditation is once again in “good standing” as of February 9, 2026. President Swayne highlighted the work of the newly seated Board of Trustees, which has been recognized nationally for implementing best-in-class governance practices through updated policies and procedures. These improvements are expected to provide lasting benefits for the College and the broader community it serves.
The College has experienced strong student enrollment growth over the past couple of years. Dr. Swayne shared NIC is serving nearly 4,600 students in credit programs. Of that 4,600, over 1,700 students are high school dual credit students attending high school and taking NIC courses at the same time. NIC serves an additional 7,000 students through NIC’s Workforce Training Center which offers short-term, focused career and apprenticeship offerings.
Looking forward, NIC has many exciting plans for the future. President Swayne shared the following list and then stood for questions:
- Expanded partnerships with the University of Idaho and Lewis Clark State College
- Expanded workforce development partnerships
- Cardinal Classical pathway launching Fall 2026
- NIC X-Labs
- Continuous improvement in assessment metrics
- Enhanced student support and streamlined pathways
- Preparing campus facilities for the future
- Commitment to governance excellence and transparency
- Accreditors lack the tools to manage rogue boards – ELECTIONS MATTER
Photograph: (left to right) Melanie Droesch (NIC), Jim DeShazer, Rayelle Anderson (NIC), Dr. Nick Swayne (NIC), Kim Cummings (President Elect), Dick Jurvelin
City on a Hill Behavioral Health Center
On March 11, 2026, the Kiwanis Club of Coeur d’Alene welcomed guest speakers Mike Wraith, Executive Director, and Joe Mitrovich, Clinical Director, from City on a Hill Behavioral Health Center. They shared an encouraging update on the significant growth the Center has experienced since its Grand Opening on October 13, 2025. They also expressed their appreciation to the Kiwanis Club of Coeur d’Alene for the financial support our Club provided last year to help the organization get off to a strong start.
City on a Hill provides evidence-based mental health care and, as a faith-based clinic, thoughtfully integrates professional therapy with a Biblical worldview for individuals seeking care that aligns with their faith and personal beliefs. A central component of the organization’s mission is to expand access to mental health services by offering low- or no-cost care to children, adults, and families throughout Kootenai County.
City on a Hill provides timely mental health assessment and intervention for youth, which in some cases helps stabilize crises and prevent the need for inpatient hospitalization. This support is critically important, as youth who require hospitalization are often sent to facilities out of state—such as Montana or Utah—separating them from family and community during an already traumatic time.
Following the presentation, the Kiwanis Club of Coeur d’Alene presented City on a Hill with additional funds to support the purchase of two computers that are urgently needed by their clinicians.
Photograph: (left to right) Kim Cummings (President Elect), Joe Mitrovich, Matt Palmer (Treasurer), Mike Wraith
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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
Last Updated: April 10, 2026 by Matt Palmer Leave a Comment
Addison Sprague – KTEC Scholarship Recipient
At our April 8, 2026 meeting, we proudly congratulated Addison Sprague as the annual recipient of the Kiwanis Club of Coeur d’Alene’s $500 KTEC (Kootenai Technical Education Campus) scholarship!
Addison is in the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at KTEC and will graduate this semester, and plans to attend North Idaho College in the fall to pursue her goal of becoming a nurse. She was joined by her Mom and Dad, and Jim DeShazer honored her achievements on behalf of the Club.
Photograph: Addison Sprague is joined by her father Jason (left) and Jim DeShazer (right)