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    December 04, 2025, by Heather McPherson
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Print magazine

Donated Van Blesses CAES

By Heather McPherson, December 04, 2025

During the 2024–2025 school year, Caldwell Adventist Elementary School set out on a big goal: raising money for a school vehicle. 

Through the hard work and enthusiasm of students and families during a school-wide read-a-thon, the school community raised nearly $3,000. While this amount wasn’t enough to purchase a vehicle outright, school leaders knew they were moving in the right direction and trusted God to continue leading the way.

In summer 2025, God provided in a way no one could have imagined. A relative of a community family, who had been trying to sell their 12-passenger van, heard about the school's need. They decided to make a generous donation and gift the van to the school. Their kindness turned everyone's hopes into reality.

The blessings didn’t stop there. After the donation, several church members and community supporters stepped forward to help transform the van into something truly special. Volunteers donated time, supplies and expertise to update the maintenance, clean and detail the inside, and put the school name and logo on the outside. The result is a van that not only runs beautifully, but also proudly represents the school wherever it goes.

The 2025–2026 school year theme is “The Battle Belongs to the Lord.” CAES is truly experiencing that promise. God has been fighting battles for the school and providing miracles far greater than what they could have planned or afforded on their own. The story of this van is one of those miracles, a reminder that when people trust God, He provides in ways that exceed their imagination.

Looking ahead, school leaders will continue to raise funds for the transportation program. These donations will help cover fuel and maintenance so teachers don’t have to dip into classroom budgets as much. As the school family continues to grow, they are prayerfully hoping to one day add a second van to meet the needs of students. CAES is excited about the many adventures ahead — now made possible with their very own school van.

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Featured in: January/February 2026

Author

Heather McPherson

Caldwell Adventist Elementary School vice principal and 6–8 teacher
Section
Idaho Conference
Tags
Education

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The Gleaner is a gathering place with news and inspiration for Seventh-day Adventist members and friends throughout the northwestern United States. It is an important communication channel for the North Pacific Union Conference — the regional church support headquarters for Adventist ministry throughout Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. The original printed Gleaner was first published in 1906, and has since expanded to a full magazine with a monthly circulation of more than 40,000. Through its extended online and social media presence, the Gleaner also provides valuable content and connections for interested individuals around the world.

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