For the week of August 29 - September 4, 2001

Senior Center presented Spirit of Idaho Award

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By DANA DUGAN
Express Staff Writer

Fundraising for a cross generational issue netted the Blaine County Senior Center an award from Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, Tuesday in a lunch time ceremony at the center in Hailey.

Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, meets with some children at the Blaine County Senior Center on Tuesday afternoon. Express photo by Dana DuGan

The center donated more than $5,000 dollars last winter to the Blaine County School District’s pre-school day care, Kid Shop. The seniors raised the money during the annual festival of the trees in December, and have committed themselves to repeating the gesture again this year. The donation went to expanding the healthy snacks that Kid Shop is able to provide their charges.

The Spirit of Idaho Award is given by Crapo to various groups or individuals who show "what it is to be an Idahoan," he said after the ceremony.

"People all over Idaho are doing really great things. They reach out to help other people. And they do this without recognition. We give some attention to them by giving the Spirit of Idaho award."

Among other recipients over the past two years were two Twin Falls newspaper carriers. One alerted the police when papers hadn’t been collected at a resident’s home, and the other called the fire department when he smelt smoke at a house.

Earlier Tuesday, Crapo present the award to a Vietnam War vet in Twin Falls, who had given a combat buddy his own medal on a dirt road in Vietnam, some 30 years ago. He was also re-awarded his military medals at that time.

Last fall, Crapo awarded the Spirit of Idaho award to the Wood River Winter Recreation Coalition, who worked together for 10 months to hammer out area designations for various winter sports activities.

The Silvertones, a singing group at the Blaine County Senior Center, first sang the Idaho state song, "Here we Have Idaho, "to the large gathering, which included Superintendent Jim Lewis of the Blaine County School District, and a group of kindergarten children with their teacher, Diane Hassall from Kid Shop.

"It’s thanks to you that we’re feeding these valley children fruits and vegetables," Hassall told the gathering of seniors.

After the award was given to Brenda Shappee, the manager of the senior center, the children posed with Crapo before they all sat down to lunch. "We’ve formed a bond between our two groups," Shappee said.

Crapo, who is on summer recess from the Senate in Washington, said that "during these breaks I go around Idaho and renew acquaintances and make new friends. If I have a flat tire anywhere in Idaho, I can find help now."

While in the valley, Crapo also met with the Wood River Land Trust regarding some conservation issues.

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