09/19/2026
80 years. What a night. What a community. 💛
We’re not sure we could have dreamed up a more beautiful way to celebrate 80 years of St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho than gathering under the pines at Lutherhaven, surrounded by hundreds of people who have been part of this story in one way or another, with the lake behind us, lights glowing in the trees, good food on the tables and so many people we love gathered together.
There are so many people to thank.
Thank you to John Bruning for taking us back through our history and reminding us just how many people have had a hand in building this organization over the last eight decades, and to Don Kaney for bringing congratulations from our national St. Vincent de Paul family and reminding us that the work happening right here in North Idaho is part of something so much bigger.
Thank you to Annie Parker, who bravely shared stories of the people we have the privilege of walking alongside every day. Annie reminded us that our work isn’t really about buildings, programs, beds or statistics. It’s about people, and about what can happen when someone who is struggling encounters another person who is willing to see them, believe in them and walk beside them for a while.
Thank you to Drummin Up BBQ for the most amazing feast, and a HUGE thank you to our St. Vinny’s staff and volunteers who worked their tails off to make this night happen! Watching this team plate and serve hundreds of dinners like they had been running a restaurant together for years was pretty incredible. They hauled, decorated, welcomed, poured, plated, served, cleaned, problem-solved and did about a hundred other things no one ever sees, all with generous hearts.
And Camp Lutherhaven… goodness. Thank you for welcoming us so warmly and sharing what has to be one of the most glorious venues in North Idaho. As evening settled in, the lights came on in the trees and everyone gathered around those long tables, it was one of those moments when we just wanted to stand still for a minute and take it all in.
And finally, we are so deeply grateful to God for the gift of these 80 years, and for every person who has answered the call to serve along the way.
Because when you really think about what 80 years means, it’s pretty remarkable. It is generations of North Idaho neighbors caring for neighbors. Thousands and thousands of meals, nights of shelter, warm showers, safe homes, diapers, clothing, rides, conversations, second chances and moments when someone simply needed another human being to say, we see you, and you matter.
We will never know all of their names. We will never know every story or every life that changed because someone volunteered a few hours, wrote a check, donated a coat, served a meal, opened a door or simply chose to care.
But standing under those lighted pines Thursday night, surrounded by this beautiful community, we couldn’t help but think about all of the people who came before us, all of the people being served today and all of the people who will need St. Vinny’s tomorrow.
For 80 years, this community has been there. And we think that might be the most beautiful part of the whole story.
Thank you, North Idaho, for 80 years of showing up, loving your neighbors and making sure there is always a place in our community for hope, dignity and love.
Here’s to the next 80. 💛🌲✨
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