In early February, Sandpoint resident Peter Faletto was saddened to hear of the death of one of his greatest heroes, Jimmie Heuga.
Heuga was a man who influenced Faletto in both his personal and professional life, and it is Heuga who Faletto will honor March 13 by raising funds in his memory and donating them to a cause to which Heuga devoted his life.
“Jimmie Heuga was only 66 years old (when he died),” said Faletto. “But he led a life that are only dreams to most of us.”
When Heuga was 15, he was the youngest member ever to be selected to the U.S. Ski Team. At the Olympic Games in Innsbruck, Austria, in 1964, Heuga received a bronze medal in the slalom, finishing just shy of silver medalist Billy Kidd. For the next few years, Heuga continued to excel in the sport. But his glory was short-lived.
“He was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the peak of his career,” said Faletto. Heuga first noticed symptoms of numbness and vision changes in 1967 but continued competing until he was diagnosed in 1970.
But just as Heuga competed to beat the odds on the ski mountain, he also was not to be defeated in his latest challenge in life.
The medical community had advised Heuga and others afflicted with MS to avoid physical activity. The thought was that activity would intensify the symptoms of the disease.
“He defied conventional wisdom that told him to go home and prepare to die and chose to work through his pain and fatigue instead,” Faletto said. “He pushed the envelop of life and his efforts helped doctors rewrite their ideas on how to treat MS.”
In 1984 Heuga started a foundation that is now known as Can Do Multiple Sclerosis. Heuga’s philosophy was that by engaging in physical activity and positive thinking one can slow the progression of MS. Now decades later, Heuga’s theory is the standard of care for treating MS.
Last year Heuga visited Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort in Sandpoint. He influenced the way Faletto, a physical therapist, treats his patients.
“Last year I had the honor of helping Jimmie Heuga get through his days at Schweitzer Mountain when he came here to support our efforts to help his foundation,” said Faletto, who works for Sandpoint-based Pneumex, a world leader in the treatment of back pain and performance enhancement.
But it was during his work as a home health aide in Logan, Utah, when Faletto began working with MS patients.
“One of my first patients was Gary Smith, a salty Marine with a huge heart and love for the outdoors that was greater than anyone I know,” Faletto said. “He managed to finish his master’s degree, write a book, record an album, had an Emmy winning documentary about his work, and built one of the first (handicapped accessible) homes in the United States – all of this after his diagnosis.”
For the past several years, area residents Billy Bob Goyen and Pam Burke have organized a fundraiser for MS at Schweitzer. Faletto has offered to help. This year’s fundraiser, called the 2010 Vertical Express for MS, will be on March 13 with proceeds going to Heuga’s foundation.
Faletto’s goal is to raise $25,000 in honor of Heuga’s life and the 25th anniversary of the Vertical Express, a fundraising campaign at ski resorts across the West. Teams of skiers and snowboarders raise money to compete in events on the slopes. Prizes are awarded for fundraising efforts.
Teams that raise at least $15,000 will receive an expenses-paid trip to the Vertical Express Awards in Vail, Colo., in mid-April.
Faletto is not stopping there.
“For next year I am working with the Can Do center to establish a fundraising program that will generate between $150,000 and $300,000 every year from now on,” he said.
For more information on how to donate to or participate in Schweitzer Mountain’s 2010Vertical Express for MS March 13, contact Peter Faletto at (208) 691-8888 or e-mail peterfaletto@mac.com.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
CHaFE 150 Registration is Open
The mountaintops may still be covered with snow, but that isn’t stopping people from thinking and planning for warm sunny days. With registration already open for the third annual CHaFE 150, bicycle riders are eagerly planning their training schedules for the June 12 event.
CHaFE 150 – which stands for Cycle Hard for Education – is a 150-mile bike ride hosted by Panhandle Alliance for Education, a nonprofit organization that raises funds which go toward providing programs and educational opportunities for youth and families.
“Our goal is to provide funding for innovative, strategic and competitive grant programs to encourage excellence,” said Brad Williams, the treasurer for Panhandle Alliance.
According to Williams, last year’s race raised $33,000, all of which went to fund the Panhandle Alliance’s Ready! for Kindergarten program.
Ready! is a national program put on by Panhandle Alliance with support from Lake Pend Oreille School District and the National Children’s Reading Foundation. The philosophy behind the program is that children learn best when taught by someone they love and trust – their parents or caregivers.
The Saturday classes are taught to parents of children through age 5 and are geared toward promoting interaction between the children and their parents and caregivers in a way that will promote literacy, math and social skills.
According to Williams, Panhandle Alliance budgeted $62,000 for this school year’s Ready! program, and the popularity of the classes has indicated that it will only grow, making it critical that they raise as much as possible through the bike ride.
“The enrollment for the program exceeded our expectations in the first year and was expanded for this second year,” said Geraldine Lewis, the director of events and fundraising for Panhandle Alliance. “We hope the ride continues to grow in its fundraising power, so we can continue to meet the needs of families in the Ready! program.”
Tracy Gibson is the coordinator for the Ready! program and said the impact on families has been significant.
“Our enrollment always exceeds the room we have available. Currently we have seven full classes. It is growing as fast as we can round up the people power,” said Gibson, adding that the program requires teachers, child care providers, volunteers and Panhandle Alliance board members to pull off every session. “Remarkably, we have an overwhelming number of people who can see the importance of early childhood education and volunteer their time.”
Registration for the CHaFE 150 opened Feb. 10 and participation is limited to 300 people. The Facebook page has more than 160 members.
The route for the June 12 ride begins in Sandpoint and heads north toward Canada before taking riders east into Montana. Riders will enjoy beautiful scenery of the Bull and Clark Fork Rivers with breathtaking views of the Cabinet Mountains as well as the majestic shore of Lake Pend Oreille, something Williams said is a distinguishing factor from other rides.
“What distinguishes us from other rides are really two things: first, the roads and scenery. Our route is really world-class. Few other places have our scenery and light-traffic roads,” said Williams. “The second is our support. Geraldine (Lewis, the event organizer) has organized a ride that has the best support of any ride in the region.”
The ride’s break stops are manned by volunteer groups who Williams said go out of their way to provide creative ways to feed and support the riders.
“We have a rotating trophy going to the break stop group that provides the most innovative and interesting experience (to the riders),” he said.
Last year organizers introduced the ½ CHaFE for riders not yet ready for the full 150-mile ride. This year that 80-mile route will begin in Troy, Mont. – with CHaFE organizers busing the participants to Montana. It will end in Sandpoint, where all participants will be treated to food and entertainment upon crossing the finish line.
The goal is to have each participant raise at least $500 in pledges, which will go a long way to assisting the Ready! program.
“Organizationally, our goal is fundraising,” said Williams. “However, our goal for the participants is to take a reasonable amount of time so that it is a fun experience. We want them to have a great day and come back year after year.”
Information:
The third annual Cycle Hard for Education starts in Sandpoint.
Ride length: 150 miles or 80 miles
Cost: $120
To register: Visit www.chafe150.org (http://www.chafe150.org)
CHaFE 150 – which stands for Cycle Hard for Education – is a 150-mile bike ride hosted by Panhandle Alliance for Education, a nonprofit organization that raises funds which go toward providing programs and educational opportunities for youth and families.
“Our goal is to provide funding for innovative, strategic and competitive grant programs to encourage excellence,” said Brad Williams, the treasurer for Panhandle Alliance.
According to Williams, last year’s race raised $33,000, all of which went to fund the Panhandle Alliance’s Ready! for Kindergarten program.
Ready! is a national program put on by Panhandle Alliance with support from Lake Pend Oreille School District and the National Children’s Reading Foundation. The philosophy behind the program is that children learn best when taught by someone they love and trust – their parents or caregivers.
The Saturday classes are taught to parents of children through age 5 and are geared toward promoting interaction between the children and their parents and caregivers in a way that will promote literacy, math and social skills.
According to Williams, Panhandle Alliance budgeted $62,000 for this school year’s Ready! program, and the popularity of the classes has indicated that it will only grow, making it critical that they raise as much as possible through the bike ride.
“The enrollment for the program exceeded our expectations in the first year and was expanded for this second year,” said Geraldine Lewis, the director of events and fundraising for Panhandle Alliance. “We hope the ride continues to grow in its fundraising power, so we can continue to meet the needs of families in the Ready! program.”
Tracy Gibson is the coordinator for the Ready! program and said the impact on families has been significant.
“Our enrollment always exceeds the room we have available. Currently we have seven full classes. It is growing as fast as we can round up the people power,” said Gibson, adding that the program requires teachers, child care providers, volunteers and Panhandle Alliance board members to pull off every session. “Remarkably, we have an overwhelming number of people who can see the importance of early childhood education and volunteer their time.”
Registration for the CHaFE 150 opened Feb. 10 and participation is limited to 300 people. The Facebook page has more than 160 members.
The route for the June 12 ride begins in Sandpoint and heads north toward Canada before taking riders east into Montana. Riders will enjoy beautiful scenery of the Bull and Clark Fork Rivers with breathtaking views of the Cabinet Mountains as well as the majestic shore of Lake Pend Oreille, something Williams said is a distinguishing factor from other rides.
“What distinguishes us from other rides are really two things: first, the roads and scenery. Our route is really world-class. Few other places have our scenery and light-traffic roads,” said Williams. “The second is our support. Geraldine (Lewis, the event organizer) has organized a ride that has the best support of any ride in the region.”
The ride’s break stops are manned by volunteer groups who Williams said go out of their way to provide creative ways to feed and support the riders.
“We have a rotating trophy going to the break stop group that provides the most innovative and interesting experience (to the riders),” he said.
Last year organizers introduced the ½ CHaFE for riders not yet ready for the full 150-mile ride. This year that 80-mile route will begin in Troy, Mont. – with CHaFE organizers busing the participants to Montana. It will end in Sandpoint, where all participants will be treated to food and entertainment upon crossing the finish line.
The goal is to have each participant raise at least $500 in pledges, which will go a long way to assisting the Ready! program.
“Organizationally, our goal is fundraising,” said Williams. “However, our goal for the participants is to take a reasonable amount of time so that it is a fun experience. We want them to have a great day and come back year after year.”
Information:
The third annual Cycle Hard for Education starts in Sandpoint.
Ride length: 150 miles or 80 miles
Cost: $120
To register: Visit www.chafe150.org (http://www.chafe150.org)
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Community Rallies to Support Retired Businessman Ernie Belwood
It does not take long for newcomers to Sandpoint to realize that this town has an unusually strong sense of community spirit.
And there are few who have contributed more to that spirit than Sandpoint’s Ernie Belwood. There is a saying that what goes around, comes around, and now it is Sandpoint’s turn to give back to the retired businessman who has done much for this community over the last several decades.
Before Christmas, Belwood was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He has been in Oregon since early January, undergoing treatment at the Oregon Health Sciences University Hospital. According to his close friend, Bobbie Huguenin, Belwood is fighting for his life and is in for a long road ahead as he recovers from surgery and treatment.
His recovery has been prolonged by complications from surgery due to a suture that did not hold. Belwood has fought infections but Huguenin said he is improving every day. It has been a painful process, she said, but Belwood’s sense of humor and remarkable attitude have shone through.
“Throughout it all, he managed to find some ways to be funny,” said Huguenin. “He has the great gift of natural wit and an outstanding sense of humor.”
Belwood retired from his furniture business in 2004, leaving his daughter, Lori, to run the family store, Belwood’s Furniture. But the family chose to close the downtown landmark last summer to concentrate on other business ventures and so Ernie could fully enjoy retirement. Hearts were saddened to see the doors of Belwood’s Furniture close, but many were happy for the family as it truly was a decision made out of choice and not driven by the economy.
As a tribute to the man who has been a downtown businessman and active community member for more than 35 years, the Sandpoint Lions Club chose Belwood to be the Grand Marshal for last summer’s Fourth of July parade.
As Belwood recovers in Oregon, there is much love and support echoing through this community. Last weekend more than 100 friends and family members gathered at Sandpoint’s City Beach to attend what they called an Ernie Event. They made a giant card for Belwood and the Sandpoint Fire Department was on hand with its large ladder truck to take an aerial photo of the gathering. It was a message of love being sent across the miles.
Other Ernie fans are soliciting donations to help defray the family’s expenses including accommodations, meals and transportation. Linda Plaster, Sharon Rench McCormick and Huguenin all agree that it is time to give back to the man who never said no when asked by the many organizations for donations to local causes.
Sandpoint City Councilwoman Marsha Ogilvie was involved with Kinderhaven, a home for abused and neglected children, from the time it opened in 1996. She said without the generosity of Ernie Belwood, the home’s beginning would not have been the same.
“He immediately said yes to helping with the first fundraiser for Kinderhaven,” said Ogilvie. “He had never met me, didn’t know who I was, but he didn’t hesitate with his answer.”
Because Kinderhaven had limited funds, Belwood allowed them to purchase the furniture, appliances and other home furnishings on credit.
“When you have more you can pay more, he told us,” said Ogilvie.
When the organizers of an event for Sandpoint’s Women Honoring Women called upon Ernie to help set up a big screen and video at the last minute, Belwood did not hesitate.
“Ernie rushed over in his pajamas and made everything right,” said Ogilvie. “Because of Uncle Ernie the event went off without a hitch.”
So thank you, Ernie Belwood, for showing the people of Sandpoint what the meaning of community is.
And there are few who have contributed more to that spirit than Sandpoint’s Ernie Belwood. There is a saying that what goes around, comes around, and now it is Sandpoint’s turn to give back to the retired businessman who has done much for this community over the last several decades.
Before Christmas, Belwood was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He has been in Oregon since early January, undergoing treatment at the Oregon Health Sciences University Hospital. According to his close friend, Bobbie Huguenin, Belwood is fighting for his life and is in for a long road ahead as he recovers from surgery and treatment.
His recovery has been prolonged by complications from surgery due to a suture that did not hold. Belwood has fought infections but Huguenin said he is improving every day. It has been a painful process, she said, but Belwood’s sense of humor and remarkable attitude have shone through.
“Throughout it all, he managed to find some ways to be funny,” said Huguenin. “He has the great gift of natural wit and an outstanding sense of humor.”
Belwood retired from his furniture business in 2004, leaving his daughter, Lori, to run the family store, Belwood’s Furniture. But the family chose to close the downtown landmark last summer to concentrate on other business ventures and so Ernie could fully enjoy retirement. Hearts were saddened to see the doors of Belwood’s Furniture close, but many were happy for the family as it truly was a decision made out of choice and not driven by the economy.
As a tribute to the man who has been a downtown businessman and active community member for more than 35 years, the Sandpoint Lions Club chose Belwood to be the Grand Marshal for last summer’s Fourth of July parade.
As Belwood recovers in Oregon, there is much love and support echoing through this community. Last weekend more than 100 friends and family members gathered at Sandpoint’s City Beach to attend what they called an Ernie Event. They made a giant card for Belwood and the Sandpoint Fire Department was on hand with its large ladder truck to take an aerial photo of the gathering. It was a message of love being sent across the miles.
Other Ernie fans are soliciting donations to help defray the family’s expenses including accommodations, meals and transportation. Linda Plaster, Sharon Rench McCormick and Huguenin all agree that it is time to give back to the man who never said no when asked by the many organizations for donations to local causes.
Sandpoint City Councilwoman Marsha Ogilvie was involved with Kinderhaven, a home for abused and neglected children, from the time it opened in 1996. She said without the generosity of Ernie Belwood, the home’s beginning would not have been the same.
“He immediately said yes to helping with the first fundraiser for Kinderhaven,” said Ogilvie. “He had never met me, didn’t know who I was, but he didn’t hesitate with his answer.”
Because Kinderhaven had limited funds, Belwood allowed them to purchase the furniture, appliances and other home furnishings on credit.
“When you have more you can pay more, he told us,” said Ogilvie.
When the organizers of an event for Sandpoint’s Women Honoring Women called upon Ernie to help set up a big screen and video at the last minute, Belwood did not hesitate.
“Ernie rushed over in his pajamas and made everything right,” said Ogilvie. “Because of Uncle Ernie the event went off without a hitch.”
So thank you, Ernie Belwood, for showing the people of Sandpoint what the meaning of community is.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
