CDA Church of the Nazarene Donates $4,000 to Remodel Dalton Elementary Staff Lounge in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

CDA Church of the Nazarene helped remodel the staff lounge at Dalton Elementary School in Coeur d’Alene, which had been stuck in a 1980s look with funky colors, hospital-style lighting and an old refrigerator that no longer worked.

The remodel had been on the school’s “to do” list, but limited funds and other priorities meant educators would have to go without. Debra Albrecht, office manager for Dalton Elementary School, said the project’s completion felt surreal. “I have been praying for four years,” she said. “We needed a place we could gather. It needed to be a place that matched what was already inside of hearts. We wanted a place that felt like home.”

The church donated $4,000 to the project, and members volunteered an estimated 250 hours to transform the lounge over the summer. Youth Pastor Austin Petellin said the church had been partnering with Dalton for some time and that he reached out to ask what the school needed. “Our congregation gave above and beyond,” he said. “We’ve committed to working with our community and meeting needs. It’s a huge part of our faith. It’s a huge part of the wisdom of the scriptures and the example of Christ.”

Upgrades include a new refrigerator, a fireplace, soft lighting and new furniture. Albrecht said the church’s offer felt like an open door. “When we met with them, here’s the ‘Have to’ list and here’s our ‘pie in the sky’ list,” she said. “They came in over and above with everything. I am incredibly grateful.”

Rahshel Desjarlais, a paraprofessional on the reading team, painted elements of the lounge. Her mural covers a 28-foot wall and depicts the natural scenery of the area. Desjarlais said the room had previously been dark purple, which made it feel small and dark. “I didn’t have to look very far for inspiration,” she said. “The mural was inspired by the mountains and trees of Canfield Mountain and my hope was to highlight that. It’s been so rewarding to see how much everyone loves it.”

Source: Read the original report