Hot Springs Raises Enough Money for New Clinic

HOT SPRINGS – The residents of the tiny western Montana town of Hot Springs have reached their fundraising goal in an effort to replace a dilapidated health care clinic.

And it was the effort to get the smaller donations and that led to the larger ones.

News coverage of residents’ work to recycle 70,000 pounds of scrap metal last December brought publicity that drew several donations, including $6,000 from Pacific Steel and Recycling.

Arlee rancher and Plains car dealer Marvin Rehbein followed with $50,000. Barb Gonder of Hot Springs, who gave $5,000 early on, recently added a $50,000 donation that helped clinic organizers reach the fundraising threshold needed to keep a $450,000 Community Development Block Grant.

Fundraising coordinator Sharon Flesch tells the Missoulian they hope to break ground on June 1 and be in the new clinic before winter.

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