DrugFree Idaho – Starfish Ball

In an old story, a young boy was found tossing starfish from the dry beach back into the water.  An older man asked him if he really thought he was making a difference.  The boy turned to the man and said “it makes a difference to this one” and threw another starfish back into the sea.

For over ten years, DrugFree Idaho has been making a difference, one family at a time.  Through its youth and parent education programs, teens are learning the dangers of drug use.  Parents can also learn to recognize some of the indicators that their kids may be using, and how they can get their child help.

Through its DrugFree Workplace program, more businesses are becoming safer places to work and more families are receiving compassionate assistance in getting a loved one off of drugs.  With nearly 1 in 4 workers in Idaho having a substance abuse, DrugFree Idaho works with companies across a spectrum of industries to decrease abuse and increase morale.

You can support DrugFree Idaho’s efforts to make a difference at the Starfish Ball on Saturday, March 7 at the Courtyard Marriott in Meridian from 6 pm to midnight.  There will be great jazz music to dance to, and it is black tie optional.  Tickets are $75 per person or $125 per couple.  For tickets or more information, call 373-5455.

Northwest Children’s Home - Snowball Gala

Caring for the next generation and making sure they thrive is one of the most basic responsibilities.  As families and communities we make sure they have an education and, hopefully, nurturing love so that they can grow into productive and healthy adults.

As we know too much, not every child is blessed with a loving home with a parent or parents who provide a safe, supportive and caring environment.  Sadly, research indicates that children raised in homes where they are abused or deprived of love often turn to drugs, alcohol, crime and other dangerous behaviors to fill the void.

The Northwest Children’s Home has been filling that void since 1935 by taking care of children that were abused, abandoned or orphaned, giving them the basics of life and the special love that each child should enjoy.  Started in northwest Idaho in 1987 it also established a solid presence in the Treasure Valley.

At Syringa House in Nampa, 24 girls receive comprehensive treatment, counseling and education in life management skills.  Many have had to leave abusive homes or have been turned out by their parents. 

Earlier this year, NCH opened Linden House in Boise, which provides a residence for young women as they transition from state foster care to living on their own.  Many of these women are struggling to find a sense of identity and place, in addition to gaining necessary life skills, and Syringa House is there to provide the support and love they need.

You can support NCH at the Snow Ball on Saturday, November 22 at 6 p.m. at the Linen Building in Boise.  Tickets are $100 each or $500 for a table of 6, and includes dinner, a live auction and dancing.

You can purchase tickets or get more information at 465-9936 or visit www.northwestchildrenshome.org.

Family Advocate Program – Gingerbread Holiday Village

Can you feel it coming?  The season of mulled cider, candy canes and zesty gingerbread is almost here.  Just conjuring the scent of these can transport you to happy childhood memories of home.

For almost twenty-five years, the Family Advocate Program has been working to provide happy memories to children and families.  Through its Families First program, it provides trained parent educators who will visit any home, no matter its income level, and create individualized plans to help the adults be even stronger parents.  These educators help make the adult feel more confident in his or her parenting and offer tools to help the children be more prepared for and successful in school.

When homes are already showing cracks, the FAP provides a voice for children in foster care.  It trains volunteers to be guardians who speak for the child and making recommendations in court hearings.  These guardians can become a lifeline for the children, and often are the only stable adult in their lives as they may transition in and out of several foster homes.  The visits with their guardians often help provide them strength to retain joy and happy memories.

You can support the Family Advocate Program’s efforts at one of the most fun events of the year at the Gingerbread Holiday Village Dinner Gala. On Friday, November 21, you can view and bid on outstanding gingerbread creations (and other silent and live auction items) such as Bronco Stadium, Boise Zoo and the most delicious houses ever.

Tickets are $100 each or $700 for a table of 8.  For information or to purchase tickets, contact Kara at 345-3344 x. 1003 or visit www.familyadvocate.org.

Boise Rescue Mission – 50th Anniversary Gala

You pass by them each day, and many times you do not realize it.  They are the men, women and children who have fallen on hard times and for many different reasons become homeless. 

For the past fifty years, the Boise Rescue Mission has been extending a hard to those in our community who need shelter, food, and sometimes help overcoming addictions.  They have helped thousands of our neighbors in their time of need, giving so many a chance to get their feet back underneath them to regain their dignity and their lives.

In addition to providing spiritual guidance to those who seek it, they also provide education and counseling programs for those at the mission.  Understanding that sometimes more education and training is required to let someone break their cycle of homelessness and move to self-sufficiency, they offer in subjects like computer literacy and also provide career coaching.

Since the beginning of 2008 alone, the Boise Rescue Mission has served over 143,000 meals (more than 5,000 of those to children).  They have helped 121 people transition out of homelessness, and given vital support to three in our community to achieve their General Education Development (GED) degree to turn them toward a more enriching life.

On Saturday, September 20, you can help the Boise Rescue Mission to continue to provide a clearer path to those in need at their 50th Anniversary Banquet.  Join them in celebrating 50 years of offering love, guidance and necessary support to our neighbors, with fantastic music and delicious food at the Jordan Ballroom on the campus of Boise State University.

Tickets for the event are $50 each, and may be purchased by visiting www.boiserm.org or calling 343-2389.

Recycled Art Show and Auction – SHIP, Inc.

Think back to the last time you visited the ocean, looked way out in the distance and saw a ship passing along on the horizon.  From afar, that ship looked to be serenely coasting through the waters as it made its way to its destination. 

If you were to have gotten closer to that ship, though, you likely would have seen that the ship actually was going through some rough waters, fighting tough winds and doing far more than merely gliding along.

SHIP, Inc. – Supportive Housing and Innovative Partnerships – is similar.  The organization set sail a couple years ago to help those in our community recovering from substance abuse.  It may look like it calmly continues on its course, but every day it has to work with those it serves to navigate potentially rough waters in helping them to overcome their addiction, achieve safe housing, and find a job.

In 2006, SHIP helped nearly 250 of our neighbors by providing clean and sober housing.  It provides a therapeutic community to those overcoming addiction, working with them on necessary lifestyle changes to sustain their sobriety.

On September 4 and 5, you can help support SHIP in continuing to provide its services at its 2nd Annual Recycled Art Show and Reception.  The Art Show will be on display on First Thursday from 4:00-9:00 p.m. at the Linen Building, and Friday from noon until 5:00 p.m.

The Reception is on Friday the 5th from 7:00-10:00 p.m. at the Linen Building located at 14th and Grove Sts. in Boise.  Tickets to the Reception with dessert, coffee bar and silent auction of the art are $15/person, $25/couple, but admission to the Art Show is free to the public.  For tickets or more information, contact Second Chance Building Materials Center at 1423 Grove St. or 331-2707.

Idaho Meth Project – Thunder Over Nampa Air Show

Looking for a family-friendly way to celebrate Father’s Day and help out the community?  The Thunder Over Nampa Air Show is the place to be!  On Saturday, June 14, and Sunday, June 15, you can see one of the best air shows in the region and help the Idaho Meth Project.

The Idaho Meth Project’s objective is to use advertising and community action to obliterate the use of methamphetamine in our state.  It is based on effective programs that were used in other states, which have since seen a significant reduction in meth use.  With everyone working together, we can help stop the use of this drug and create a brighter future for all Idahoans.

The Air Show will feature an amazing collection of planes, skydiving shows, and displays where you can sit in the cockpit of some of your favorite air vehicles.  Make your way to the Nampa Municipal Airport, 116 Municipal Drive, to join in the fun!

The event is from 10 am to 4 pm each day, with flying beginning at noon.  There is no cost for the event, but there is a suggested donation of $5 at the gate.  For more information, visit www.idahomethproject.org.

DrugFree Idaho Works to Eliminate Drug Abuse and its Effect on Families

It really can be so simple – a parent talking with his or her child, an employer showing concern for an employee, a friend looking out for a friend. One of the biggest societal problems we face is drug abuse, and yet it can be stopped and healed, with some information and a helping hand.

DrugFree Idaho has two programs designed to help Idaho families stop the drug and alcohol abuse that can tear them apart. As Board member Dave Player says, “these programs can mean a crucial difference in the life of a family affected by drug or alcohol abuse, providing support and love instead of judgment and disdain.”

One is a workplace drug testing program that helps with testing for the presence of drugs and then providing strong, caring solutions to assist an employee who may test positive.

The other is the program started as PAYADA (Parents and Youth Against Drug Abuse), which provides education to parents and children, so they can talk about the dangers of drug use and how to keep from bowing to peer pressure.

You can support their efforts to heal families hurt by drug abuse and to keep more families from being affected at the Starfish Ball on March 15, 2008 at the Courtyard by Marriott in Meridian. Get your tickets soon for this fantastic event, with a silent and live auction and great band to dance the night away!

To purchase tickets or more information, contact Michelle Burks at 373-5455 or drugfreeidaho@msn.com.