Who We Help
Our ever-increasing community assistance programs vary and are supported by generous donations from benefactors and members of our community. Some of our most successful initiatives include:
Back to School
This annual program is devoted to providing backpacks, school supplies, and shoes for hundreds of Bonner County students each September. Back to School was founded to assist limited income school children in Bonner County, ensuring they have the supplies they need to flourish in their education. We are able to provide these supplies to the children through the generous support of the community. We have received wonderful support from Staples, Sandpoint Super Drug and Walmart.
Established in 2002 as a grass roots program sustained by local corporate and community donations, Back to School has quadrupled over the years, now requiring grant funding along with continued community and corporate support.
Initially, the program provided school supplies to about 20 children; currently, we provided school supplies to approximately 900 children! Each year, the need to help limited income children increases and we extend our deepest gratitude to the humble patrons of our community who continue to ensure students begin the school year with the supplies they need to succeed.
To register for school supplies, call CAP (Community Action Partnership) at 208-255-2910.
Lippi Family Scholarship
The Ivano’s Italian Open Golf Scramble has provided financial help for several years to Bonner County graduating seniors who choose to pursue college or trade school. This scholarship has been awarded annually to students who exhibit determination, courage, and a desire to continue their education in the face of less than perfect conditions.
Arts Scholarship
Angels Over Sandpoint Arts Scholarship is open to any high school student in Bonner County, including home-schooled students. It is not necessary to be a senior to apply. The $1,000 scholarship can be used for private classes, materials, tuition, and other education related expenses.
Each year, the focus changes to cover all aspects of the arts, including:
Visual Art
Dance/Theater
Vocal
Writing
Community Service Scholarship
The Angels Over Sandpoint created the Community Service Scholarship to acknowledge Bonner County graduating seniors who have contributed to our community through service to individuals or groups, by establishing new and innovative programs to better the community, or other acts of kindness on their own initiative. We are able to do this through the generous donations we receive from the community supporting our events.
The Angels Over Sandpoint encourages not only community service as a member of a service group, but the individual initiative to assist a person who needs help or comfort.
Community Assistance Partnerships
We assist residents of Bonner County with a variety of needs. We strive to ease individuals and families through difficult times in their lives in any way possible in the tradition of Kathy Pelland.
We work in conjunction with other organizations in our community to provide assistance in the following areas:
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Rent & utilities
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Emergency shelter
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Medical, Dental and Behavioral Health assistance
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Life transitions
If you are in need of assistance, please call Community Resource EnVisonCenter at 208-920-1840 to be pointed in the right direction.
Kinderhaven Tree Auction
The Angels Over Sandpoint participate annually in the Kinderhaven Festival of Trees Auction. This event raises operating funds for Kinderhaven - a group foster home and emergency shelter for children in crisis.
Each year, the Angels pick a theme and hand-craft all the ornaments to decorate a 6'tree for the auction. Members spend hours on Saturdays for 5-6 weeks before the auction being creative, laughing and making a big mess. This is one of our favorite activities!
Chafe 150
Each year the Angels Over Sandpoint partner with the Sandpoint Rotary to provide a rest stop for bicyclists in the CHAFE 150, a bike ride for charity through beautiful North Idaho. Angel members provide a lunch stop in Troy, Montana. Members bake healthy, high energy treats to accompany the lunch served up by our amazing volunteers at our station. It is a great opportunity for the Angels to help support the Rotarians and the chosen cause, autism support and literacy support in our LPO local school district.
Our Community Partners putting Angel funds to good use
Department of Health & Welfare, Resource & Service Navigation
The Angels provide regular funding for rent and utilities support to the local Resource and Service Navigation department of Idaho Health and Welfare. This funding supports Bonner County residents who need assistance beyond what other area resources can offer. Due to the Angel’s involvement, many other local community resource providers are willing to collaborate to ensure that applicants’ needs are met. This collaborative approach has made a difference in MANY lives.
Priest River Ministries
Advocates for Women
The Angels provide regular funding for Priest River Ministries-Advocates for Women, the only shelter program for domestic and sexual violence in Bonner County with offices in both Sandpoint and Priest River. The Angels’ funds are used to shelter women and children and provide transportation service so survivors can escape violent situations, attend medical or legal appointments or school, and visit the grocery store. These clients are extremely vulnerable and rely on support to turn their lives around and avoid further abuse.