Friends of the Cd'A Trail donate back

WALLACE — Giving can be year-round, yet during the holiday season, giving something extra to families in need can feel extra special.

The Friends of the Coeur d'Alene Trail (FCDAT) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the enjoyment of riding and assisting in developing and maintaining the bike trail.

“We are a nonprofit organization, going on now for about two decades to benefit the smaller communities along the trail,” said avid rider and group president Rick Shaffer, “We look great in the summertime, but we are a community with an economic disadvantage. So we work on marketing the trails to benefit the communities.”

Shaffer deeply understands tourism and how it affects the community, as he works as the Director of Operations at the Wallace Inn while also being named the official “Prime Minister of hospitality and goodwill” in the quaint town. He was recently recognized in October for his work by receiving the 2022 Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award in Recreation and Tourism, presented by Idaho Gov. Brad Little.

“We we are trying to get people to come in, have fun and leave money,” Shaffer said. “We send a free map to anyone who requests one, anywhere in the world. As president of the group and Prime Minister, I set up tours for people, whether they stay in the hotel or not and promote the trails by going to bike and consumer shows. It’s important to spread the word about what we have here.”

The trail passes by many of the small Silver Valley towns, most of which have food banks that are hit quite hard this time of the year. To help combat some of the costs and provide local families with some warm food and holiday cheer, Shaffer and the FCDAT sent donations of $250 to Community Action Partnership locations, the Worship Center (Wallace Food Bank), Silver Valley Seniors, United Methodist Church and Pinehurst Real Life Ministries.

“All donations to the food bank are greatly appreciated,” said Pastor Art Fleming with the Wallace Food Bank. “Food bank activity has been significantly up this year, so any help is put to good use.”

For more information about FCDAT, visit friendsofcdatrails.org.