Kootenai | Kootenai Health | Issue 3, 2017

By Andrea Nagel Each year, over 150 teen volun- teers dedicate their time to assisting Kootenai Health staff, patients and visi- tors. The program has a strong history of helping these teens build important skills they can use throughout their future careers. And while staff build relationships with these teens throughout their time at Kootenai, nobody has felt the impact of the program more than Laurie Thomas, who lost her younger sister, Kim Svee, in 1984 due to a car accident. “From the time Kim started in the program under Betty Mills, it was a program that spoke to kids,” Laurie said. “The values and work ethic the program provides to young adults truly impacts them and our community and reflects Kim’s personality.” Following Kim’s passing, the Svee family, hospital administrators and the Kootenai Health Foundation worked together to create a memorial scholarship in Kim’s name. “For our family, the scholarship is truly a way to honor Kim,” Laurie said. “When you read the essays from the volunteers on what they gained from the program—compassion, communication, leadership, confidence—the message has been consistent since 1985. You can’t help 2017 Kim Svee scholarship recipients include (from left) Audrey Bird, Sarah Conrad and Abigail Childress. Not pictured is recipient MasonMagee. Amemorial scholarship fund was established in Kim Svee’s honor for her service as a teen volunteer from1983 to 1984. InMemory of Giving Kim Svee Memorial Scholarship honors teens who give through volunteering but feel pride and excitement for them.” Graduating teen volunteers with over 200 hours of service qualify to apply for the scholarship. The students interview with a scholarship commit- tee and, if selected, are honored with the scholarship at their school’s senior awards night. The first scholarship given in the spring of 1985 was for $100. With the selection process for 2017 completed, 73 scholarships totaling $56,266 have been awarded to teen volunteers. The scholarship originated with, and continues to be funded through, memorials for Kim Svee; other memo- rial gifts; direct donations from family friends, and the community; and funds raised by the Kootenai Health Teen Volunteers. “To be able to have this program continue and have the scholarship in Kim’s name to help these dedicated young adults pursue their next step in life is humbling,” Laurie said. “We as a family feel honored to be a small part of the process and success.” If you would like to donate to the Kim Svee Memorial Scholarship fund, contact the Kootenai Health Foundation at (208) 625-4438 . KH . ORG 21