“It is time to step up,” read the subject line of an email from Stephanie and Steve Shafran to their friends.

It was March 2020, during the initial outbreak of the pandemic. Steve had just read an article in the Idaho Mountain Express about St. Luke’s Wood River Foundation’s Feed the Frontlines program, which was providing meals to front-line hospital staff workers. Though the Shafrans were not affiliated with St. Luke’s Wood River Foundation before the pandemic, they were inspired by the importance of the program and jumped into action.

“I loved the concept of Feed the Frontlines, because it was simultaneously supporting the hospital staff who were caring for our community as well as our restaurants who really needed the business,” says Steve.

Confident that they could rally support for the initiative, they set a goal of raising $40,000 to cover lunch and dinner for all hospital staff workers for one month. The Shafrans led with a generous financial gift of their own and then emailed more than 100 friends in hopes they would step up and lend their support. And step up they did! The Shafrans’ fundraising effort brought in more than $50,000 in contributions, enabling 15,000 meals to be delivered to hospital staff. Simply put, the Shafrans’ civic-minded spirit and ability to spark community generosity was a game-changer for Feed the Frontlines.

The result of their efforts sent an invaluable message to front-line workers: The day and night hospital staff not only didn’t have to worry about meals during an extremely stressful period, but equally important, they knew the community was behind them wholeheartedly. And in turn, the community benefited from high-quality care at St. Luke’s Wood River delivered by an exceptional staff who were well fed. Additionally, local restaurants were supported at a time when they were in dire economic straits.

The Shafrans’ initiative reminds us that a strong and healthy community is one in which we recognize our interconnectedness. Everyone wins. They felt confident that their call to action would work because the benefits were tangible and far reaching

“Any time you have the opportunity to raise money for a specific purpose that is going to touch people tomorrow, it is the easiest ask and the easiest give, Stephanie says.” While this was the Shafrans’ first time garnering financial support for St. Luke’s Wood River Foundation, they are not new to philanthropy. Steve is currently the chairman of the Sun Valley Community School’s Board of Trustees and has worked in various public service roles around the world, including two years on Ketchum’s City Council in 2006 and 2007. Stephanie serves on several nonprofit boards and has historically lent her support to educational and animal protection endeavors. They are civic-minded citizens who see nonprofit organizations as key pillars in our Valley and understand the power of philanthropy.

“Everyone enjoys the fact that Blaine County is a wonderful place to live,” Stephanie says. “It is a privilege and an honor to be supportive of a variety of causes, and this particular one exemplified how it really takes a village to come together and make a difference!”

The Shafrans’ extended community proved they know how to give back and be generous. Stephanie and Steve are both deeply grateful to their friends for being so incredibly supportive of St. Luke’s Wood River and our community.

“Everyone enjoys the fact that Blaine County is a wonderful place to live. It is a privilege and an honor to be supportive of a variety of causes, and this particular one exemplified how it really takes a village to come together and make a difference!” Stephanie Booth Shafran.