Survive & Thrive Benefit in New Meadows Seeks to Aid Local Kids
Just seven weeks ago, six ladies set out to make a difference in New Meadows. Kathy Elson, Kristi Schiermeier, and Penny Steadham felt a pull to help local kids. They discussed planning a benefit to raise funds for local non-profit groups and were quickly joined by three more like-minded ladies, Nikki Riddle, Lisa Schneider, and Rose Bourgault, who are passionate about helping individuals in human trafficking and crisis situations. Soon after, their husbands, Don Schiermeier, Todd Elson, Mike Riddle, Mark Schneider, and John Bourgault, joined the crew and preparations were underway. K. Elson said “Meadows Valley Planet Youth Coalition and Rise Up 2 Thrive out of Cascade, Idaho, both 501(c)(3) organizations, were determined excellent recipients for all benefit proceeds to be split equally.” The team then chose the name Survive & Thrive Benefit, and the organizing, advertising and collecting of donations continued in a flurry culminating in their June 7 barn dance & dinner and June 8 breakfast.
Meadows Valley Planet Youth Coalition offers activities and services for local kids with healthy food options. During the school year, they run an after school program on Wednesdays at the Meadows Valley Community Center with fun activities, games, crafts, and food. They also host free outings and events for students such as movie nights, ice skating, and hiking trips. Planet Youth is all about empowering youth to thrive and supporting healthy lifestyles through education, resources, and positive social connections.
Rise Up 2 Thrive, based in Cascade, offers domestic violence intervention services and assistance for individuals in crisis. They offer immediate and confidential hospital advocacy, shelter to those in immediate danger, and provide advocacy and counseling in person and via 24-hour hotline. The group had an information table at the Benefit that noted that communities on highways make them “conducive areas for traffickers to travel, reside, work, and engage in recreational activities. The vast rural area provides concealment for traffickers and isolation for the victims, while our highways serve as a conduit for the easy movement of victims. Human trafficking often goes unreported and unrecognized by many.” As human trafficking is on the rise, Rise Up 2 Thrive is working to help victims and aid prevention.
The Survive & Thrive Benefit had an incredible amount of support. K. Schiermeier said, “over 50 people contributed to planning and implementation” of the event and “35 donated to the auction items.” The barn dance and dinner was hosted at Don and Kristi Schiermeier’s beautiful 33-acre property in New Meadows. The event featured live music from Tuck Wilson and CattleAx, axe-throwing, pickle golf, and cornhole. Dinner and breakfast the next day were catered by the award-winning food truck out of Twin Falls, That’s How We Roll. A team of volunteers provided the dessert and coffee bar treats.
The planning team reported that as of June 15, over $25,000 has been raised comprising proceeds from donations (including a $10,000 anonymous gift), barn dance ticket sales, silent auction basket sales, breakfast sales, and a round-robin pickleball tournament that was held in advance of the Benefit. The organizers looked to reach a fundraising goal of $26,000 by hosting a cornhole round-robin event at MeadowCreek on June 25. At deadline, the final amount fundraised was not yet available, but updates can be found at the ‘Survive & Thrive Benefit’ Facebook page.
K. Elson spoke on behalf of the whole planning team saying they “would like to thank all sponsors, donors, attendees, silent auction basket providers and especially to all who volunteered their time and effort to make this event a success. Special thanks to Schiermeier Farms, MeadowCreek Golf Resort, the Methodist Church, and Meadows Valley Fire Department. You are making a difference in the lives of many!”
