20 By Britt Towery The 34th annual Festival of Trees kicked off the holiday season with much delight and excitement! After holding the event virtually for two years, it was a joy for the Kootenai Health Foundation to see donors and friends decked out in holiday attire enter the room filled with 18 festively themed tree displays adorned with holiday décor, swag and accoutrements. The 2022 event proceeds totaled $373,981. Funds raised through the Festival of Trees support the growing health care needs of community members throughout northern Idaho, western Montana and surrounding communities. The philanthropic focus for 2022 was Kootenai Health’s Heart Center expansion project. As the new leader at the helm of the Kootenai Health Foundation, Cara Nielsen brings decades of experience in the strategic direction of philanthropy programs. “I am honored to join such a dedicated team and carry on the great work of bringing together our generous community to support lifesaving health care services and stateof-the-art technology for our community hospital.” A life saved Charlie Nipp is a longtime community member, leader and business owner. In 1983, he was a charter member of the Kootenai Health Foundation Board and served as president for several of those first years. He and his wife, Susan, have supported Kootenai Health over the years, not ever thinking that their family would be personally impacted by their support. Last spring, the Nipps had just returned home from dinner when Charlie began to feel a heavy ache in his right arm. He lay down for a few minutes, thinking it was indigestion and the discomfort would go away. He quickly realized he was also feeling some mild pressure in his chest. A few minutes later, Charlie was in the Kootenai Health emergency department for evaluation. He learned that he was having a heart HEART OF THE COMMUNITY From left, Parkwood Properties’ Judy Meyer, Steve Meyer, Jeff Mallett, Peggy Leonard, Chris Meyer, Ryan Nipp, Jim Valle, Susan Nipp and Charlie Nipp.
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