Guests win Pick Six; award prize to SPAN Idaho

SANDPOINT — On the strength of a 5-1 week by the final guest picker Matt Brass, the 11 guests finished first in the Bee Pick Six football contest, finishing with a 42-30 record during the 11 week season. 

Bee sports editor Eric Plummer finished second at 40-26, followed by Dave DeMers at 37-35, Kris Knowles at 36-42, and Satini Puailoa and Marc Young at 35-36. Both DeMers and Knowles went 5-1 in the final week, capitalizing on the offer to triple their scores in the final week, but still fell short.

The 11 guests (Jay VanDenBerg, Kim Woodruff, Bob Witte, Dyno Wahl, Tom Albertson, Tye Barlow, Don Helander, Will Love, Caleb Bowman, Paul Nieman and Matt Brass) were each asked to submit their choice of local charity to win the prize of $500 worth of free advertising, with the most votes winning out.

Some worthy votes were cast for the Bonner Community Food Bank, Angels Over Sandpoint, Toys for Tots and Kinderhaven, among others. But when Sandpoint principal Tom Albertson cast his vote for SPAN, the Suicide Prevention Action Network of Idaho, and an amazing thing began to happen.

One by one, each guest responded via group email and changed their vote to SPAN, recognizing the impact the organization could have on both adults and youth in this community, which has had to deal with the complex and challenging subject all too often.

For Albertson the choice was easy, as he has seen firsthand the impact felt by recent suicides at Sandpoint High School.

“In light of the suicides, it’s time for awareness in our community, and SPAN is perfect for that. Idaho is a little behind the times in mental health,” said Albertson, adding the Sandpoint community is great about coming together for a cause. “When there’s a need, people get together and try and take care of the needs.”

Albertson heard SPAN Region 1 chairperson Catherine Perusse talk to community members on Thursday about suicide and said there’s a rural, western mentality that you pull yourself up by your bootstraps and don’t talk about it, and that’s not the right way.

There are seven SPAN chapters in Idaho, with Sandpoint residing in Region 1, and the group’s mission is to reduce suicide in Idaho through statewide advocacy, collaboration and education in best practices. Perusse said SPAN Idaho North Idaho Chapter was honored to receive the gift.

A special thank you to DeMers, Puailoa, Knowles, Young and all of the guests for taking part in the contest.