Wishing Star’s Send a Friend a Goat Fundraiser

For several years now, Architerra has participated in the Send a Friend a Goat Fundraiser. This spring, we continued our tradition of spreading joy by sending Carrie Berglund and the Architerra Design Center the delightful company of cuddly baby goats!

The Send a Friend a Goat initiative directly supports the Wishing Star Foundation, an incredible organization dedicated to fulfilling the wishes of children age 3-21 facing terminal or life-threatening illnesses. Beyond wish fulfillment, Wishing Star extends its reach to provide essential medical equipment, financial assistance, and organize memorable, fun-filled activities for these young individuals and their families.

We take pride in our involvement in this fundraiser, knowing that every contribution plays a meaningful role in supporting such an amazing cause.

 

Helping Furry Family Members Find Homes by Supporting the Kootenai Humane Society

Architerra recently presented the Kootenai Humane Society with a check for $33,000. A portion of every home sold in 2022 was earmarked for this wonderful cause to make this donation possible. The Kootenai Humane Society provides critical services to the Coeur d’Alene area, and the team at Architerra loves supporting this local charity that has such a big impact on the region.

The Architerra team loves animals, and we know that pets are a huge part of a family and home. Whether it’s the warm devotion of your dog begging for treats as you enjoy an evening at home in the living room or the ever-present family cat surveying a messy dinner scene plotting how to snatch a bite of chicken, pets bring something special to a family. Home is Where Life Happens and our furry family members are a huge part of that.

In addition to the proceeds from home sales, John J. Hemmingson, founder of Lakeside Companies and owner of Architerra, has also donated $250,000 to the Kootenai Humane Society. John is also a dog lover, whose own adorable pooch – Hailey Hemmingson – was adopted in Hailey, ID. You can read more about Architerra’s ongoing partnership with the Kootenai Humane Society here.

KHS is currently in the middle of a capital campaign to fund the nearly complete construction of their new facility. This facility expands the capacity for KHS, a no kill shelter, and will provide more space for veterinary, critical care, and other key services. You can contribute on their website or find pets who need loving homes at https://www.companionsanimalcenter.org/

Supporting Ronald McDonald House of the Inland Northwest

Architerra recently sponsored and attended the annual SK Ball which supports the Ronald McDonald House of the Inland Northwest.

Our team had a great time attending the event and continuing our support of this essential organization.  Spokane and Coeur d’Alene are premier medical destinations and many families in need come here for life-saving treatments. Many of these families cannot pay for hotels or housing and are forced to sleep in cars or hospital rooms or leave their children alone for treatment. Ronald Mcdonald House now has three locations that can house up to 64 families a night free of charge and provide other ongoing support.

In 2021, Architerra partnered with Ronald McDonald House to donate a portion of every home sold and gave over $50,000 in proceeds to the organization.

Several Zi Spa employees also attended the event with Architerra and Andi B. of Zi Spa won the coveted bull riding competition and belt buckle.. However, this victory came at great cost as she broke both of her wrists in the process – so send her love and healing! You can see some photos from the event below:

Partnership with Kootenai Humane Society

If you’ve stopped by our Parade home this year, you may have noticed this adorable dog house that matches the Sheridan model home. Kootenai Humane Society created the dog-house to celebrate our partnership with them this year and we love it!

We are proud to be partnering with the Kootenai Humane Society (KHS) this year as part of our ongoing commitment to supporting our community. Our employees have a very soft spot for animals and we have many dog lovers at the office! KHS is a local no-kill shelter and they are in the midst of a capital campaign to update and expand their 40-year-old facility.

Architerra is working together with the shelter on several events throughout the year, including:

  • Donating a portion of every home sold this year to Kootenai Humane Society
  • Holding pet adoption drives throughout the year
  • Promoting donations throughout the year

Our parent company – Lakeside Companies – also announced a $250,000 towards the new shelter. In June, we held a pet adoption drive at our community yard sale, where Kilo the pup was adopted and we were able to fill seven trucks with goods to donate to the Kootenai Humane Society Thrift Shop, all proceeds of which benefit the shelter.

To learn more or donate to the shelter, visit: https://www.companionsanimalcenter.org/

Kilo was adopted in June at the Architerra Yard Sale
Amazing how well it matches our house!
Our matching model home!
KHS really outdid themselves!
So cute
It even has an adorable pup!

 

Recap: 1st Annual Community Yard Sale

Architerra’s 1st Annual Community Yard Sale was a great success. Despite rainy weather, the neighborhoods came out in force and showed tremendous participation. Over 50 houses participated in the Yard Sale between The Trails, Foxtail, and Echelon Village – a superb showing. Architerra filled 7 trucks with goods donated to the Kootenai Humane Society Thrift Shop, and Kilo, a cute little pup, was adopted!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All of this, along with a fun gathering around the grill at Foxtail Park, was a great way to cap off an incredible first Yard Sale! Thanks to all who participated. Next year will be even better!

 

Supporting Ronald McDonald House with Every Home Sold

Architerra is a proud supporter of Ronald McDonald Homes Charities of the Inland NW. As part of our commitment to RMHC, a small portion of proceeds from every home sale goes towards the Ronald McDonald Homes Charities to help give families a home away from home. Ronald McDonald’s mission is to keep families close, and the donations we provide go towards supporting families in the Inland Northwest.

Recently, we were able to give a check for $22,500 for RMHC. In addition to this donation, we will continue to support Ronald McDonald House throughout the year with proceeds from home sales, employee volunteers at the homes, and ongoing sponsorship of fundraising events for the organization.

In the video below, Lisa Briner, our General Manager and CFO, explains why Ronald McDonald House is an organization close to our hearts.

“We are very pleased to be in partnership with Ronald McDonald Homes and provide that Home Away from Home during some of the most challenging times for families. I personally couldn’t think of anything more trying that having a sick child and we believe that making families as comfortable as possible during this time is of the upmost importance. Our motto is “Where Life Happens” and sometimes life happens in unexpected and challenging ways. We have both employees and home buyers in our neighborhoods that have been impacted by Ronald McDonald House and we can’t think of a better organization to support,” says Briner.

Architerra has been building homes in the Post Falls region since 2015, and currently have three developments in the area: Foxtail, the Trails, and our newest community – Echelon Village, which is a rental community offering beautiful homes without the mortgage, maintenance and long-term commitment that comes with buying a home. As Architerra has become a staple of the local region, we have been looking for ways to reach out and become a bigger part of the community. Getting involved with Ronald McDonald House has been the perfect way to provide that extra impact and give back to local families.

Watch the video below to learn more, or visit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Inland Northwest website to find out how you can get involved.

 

Spotlight on Second Harvest Mobile Market

Second Harvest’s Mobile Market brings healthy food directly to high-need communities throughout the Inland Northwest. Since 2006, the Mobile Market has provided fresh produce and other groceries at no cost to families, children and seniors experiencing food insecurity.

The Architerra team regularly volunteers at the Second Harvest Mobile market, and supports annual fundraisers for this critical service. Helping support those in need in our local community is a fundamental part of who we are, and Second Harvest is a great organization providing critical services to those who are most vulnerable in our community. Learn more about them here. 

Support for the NIBCA Construction Combine

On July 25, 2019, the North Idaho Building Contractors Association (NIBCA) hosted a two-day Construction Combine at K-Tech (Technical Education Campus) in Rathdrum, Idaho. This initiative aimed to provide high school and K-Tech students with hands-on construction experience while also giving back to the community. Over the course of the event, these students and members of the Architerra team contributed to the construction of eight sheds, which were subsequently donated to veterans in North Idaho.

During the Construction Combine, students were actively involved in the construction process. Guided by professionals, they acquired practical skills and knowledge, helping them acquire hands-on and real-world application. This approach equipped them with valuable construction skills and emphasized the importance of teamwork.

Furthermore, select students who took part in the Combine were offered summer job opportunities in the trades, providing them with a valuable head start in their future careers. The NIBCA Construction Combine at K-Tech was extremely valuable in strengthening the connection between education and industry, empowering students, and serving community members. Architerra was proud to take part in this initiative, and we eagerly anticipate future events with the NIBCA.

Contributing to the Boys & Girls Club of Kootenai County

The new Boys and Girls Club of Kootenai county recently opened in Coeur d’Alene. We are excited to see this new facility open and we were proud contributors to the capital campaign that raised the additional $1 million needed on top of the generous $2 million donation by Duane & Lola Hagadone.

We’re committed to supporting local organizations that improve our community and make Coeur d’Alene a better place to live.  The programs provided by the Boys and Girls Club work to ensure that young people in our region have the social, emotional and academic support to create opportunities for success throughout their lives.

You can read more about the facility opening here