During the holidays, the kindness and care within a community can shine particularly bright.
Families donating to food banks. Volunteers standing outside in the cold raising support for those in need. Businesses donating profits to charities and other nonprofit organizations. The list of good deeds, especially in the Flathead Valley, stretches longer than Santa’s.
Around the holidays each year, the Beacon likes to highlight members of our community who go out of their way to give back in various ways. Their stories are as heartening as they are inspiring.
Happy holidays!
— Beacon Staff
Blanketing the Valley in Care
West Valley students donate handmade blankets to Kalispell Regional Healthcare’s Brendan House
By Tristan Scott
The pace of Erin Grieco’s fifth-grade class isn’t always so frenetic, but when there are 60 blankets to make before the holidays, her students don’t waste any time. READ MORE »»»
18,500 Volunteer Hours and Counting
97-year-old Kalispell woman continues to contribute to her community any way she can
By Molly Priddy
Within minutes of meeting Mildred Nielsen, it’s easy to see that this is a woman who is rarely still. Her room at Heritage Place is decorated with family photos and awards for her volunteering service, and bags of yarn sit on chairs. READ MORE »»»
Pushing Yourself For a Cause
Whitefish man organizes vertical feet ski challenge to raise money for DREAM Adaptive
By Justin Franz
There are some days on Big Mountain that you try to avoid. It’s too cold, too foggy or the snow just isn’t very good, to name a few. But this winter, Rob Stabile won’t have the luxury of taking a day off. READ MORE »»»
Serving Those Who Served
A nonprofit based in Columbia Falls, Montana Wounded Warriors organization is helping veterans find camaraderie and healing in the outdoors
By Dillon Tabish
Seven years after serving overseas in the U.S. military, Jon Kristjanson found himself home in Montana, trying to be a good husband and father while fighting the ugly fangs of post traumatic stress disorder. READ MORE »»»