Chamber Honors White Cross Pharmacy as Business of the Month

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce recognizes White Cross Pharmacy and Compounding as the Business of the Month for demonstrating superior service to their customers and dedication to the community. With locations at 1319 Hwy 2 in Sandpoint and 5453 Hwy 2 in Priest River, the staff of White Cross Pharmacy go above and beyond to meet the needs of their customers.

Pharmacist Gary deBlaquiere purchased White Cross Pharmacy in 1977 and has been at the helm for the past 34 years. In 1996 Gary built their current Priest River location and in 2003 Shannon McGlashan joined Gary in opening the Sandpoint store. Gary’s son Dr. Richard de Blaquiere joined the business in 2004 after graduating WSU School of Pharmacy. In 2010, Governor Butch Otter appointed Dr. Richard de Blaquiere to the Idaho Board of Pharmacy. The board was organized in 1905 with the mission to promote, preserve and protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public by and through the effective control and regulation of the practice of pharmacy. Dr. de Blaquiere is currently the Vice Chairman of the Board.

Just a few weeks ago Gary, Shannon and Richard moved the Sandpoint store into the old Dish restaurant location in the Mountain West Financial Center giving them improved visibility, better parking, additional floor space and the ability to add robotics. The new location gives the pharmacy room to grow and expand their services.

The team at White Cross Pharmacy and Compounding is always looking for unique ways to accommodate their customers. They not only have superior customer service, but have a commitment to customer satisfaction. They organize medications in a dispenser box or blister packs, provide free in-town delivery, have a drive thru window, and add flavors to children's medications or even pet medications.

As a compounding pharmacy, White Cross is able to customize medications to meet the specific needs of patients. Compounding is often used for patients who are unable to take medication orally or take a commercial product because of adverse reactions to its ingredients. Their "Freedom of Choice" prescription discount program significantly reduces the cost of many medications and is free and available to everyone.

Besides meeting needs of customers, White Cross Pharmacy gives generously to the Bonner County educational system, local organizations and non-profits. Benefactors of their generosity include the Lake Pend Oreille School District, the West Bonner County School District, Bonner Partners in Care, Angels Over Sandpoint, Community Action Agency, Goodwill and the Salvation Army.

From its humble one-man-store beginnings, White Cross now employs 16 people. Please join the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce in congratulating the owners of White Cross Pharmacy, Gary deBlaquiere, Shannon McGlashan and Richard deBlaquiere. For more information, contact them at (208) 263-9080.

Chamber Recognizes LPOSD Superintendent Dick Cvitanich as Volunteer of the Month

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce would like to recognize Dick Cvitanich, Superintendent for the Lake Pend Oreille School District as the Volunteer of the Month for his countless hours of dedication to the community and educational system.

Mr. Cvitanich is the Superintendent of Schools for the Lake Pend Oreille School District. He has been an educator for 33 years and superintendent for LPOSD since 2006. Besides being a tireless advocate for the schools, students and teachers, Mr Cvitanich has also volunteered what is left of his “free” time with many area organizations. Ever visible in the Sandpoint community, you will find Dick Cvitanich on the Bonner General Hospital Foundation Advisory Council and at various fundraisers and functions for the Rotary Club.

Mr. Cvitanich sits on the Board of Directors for Panhandle Alliance for Education where he helps with numerous fundraisers and grant awards. He has organized the CHaFE 150 bike ride in the past and this year you may even catch a glimpse of him riding in the event. The CHaFE 150 is a long-distance charity bicycle ride event in Idaho and Montana to raise money for early childhood education.

Committed to public education, Mr. Cvitanich is the leader of the Region 1 Superintendents & Idaho Superintendents network. Anyone that is willing to listen and schedule Mr. Cvitanich to speak, he is more than happy to explain the needs of the district and the funding situation. When there was work to be done on the school levy, he made approximately 36 presentations to the Board and community groups to show his support. To increase the visibility of the levy, Mr. Cvitanich even stood on street corners with a sign to promote the levy because he believes so passionately in public education.

Please join the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce in congratulating Dick Cvitanich as the April Volunteer of the Month.

Chamber Honors Graphic Ink Creative Group as Business of the Month

Sandpoint – The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce congratulates Graphic Ink Creative Group as the recipient of the Business of the Month Award. Located at 1224 Washington, Suite 206 in Sandpoint, Graphic Ink Creative Group opened their doors over 23 years ago providing innovative communication strategies for clients both locally and nationally.

Graphic Ink Creative Group has made numerous financial and/or service donations to local organizations including CASA and Wishing Star. Owner, Amy Whalen has also generously donated her skill and time to design banners for Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce events as well as the new Chamber logo. She has also been instrumental in mentoring new or struggling businesses in our local area.

Graphic Ink specializes in the design and production of advertising and promotional materials to develop the image and market position of small and medium sized businesses. They have extensive experience in the design, preparation and delivery of all forms of communication including advertising and promotional literature, radio advertisements, web page creation, promotional items and so much more.

“My job is to brand and promote every client in a way that makes them strong and competitive so they will prosper in good times or bad," states Amy.

Graphic Ink Creative Group is streamlined and customer driven. The independent and subcontractors of Graphic Ink Creative Group are professional, courteous and motivated toward complete customer satisfaction.

The Chamber wishes continued success to Graphic Ink Creative Group. For more information, call (208) 263-8646 or visit www.graphicink.com