The holidays are a season of their own, the time of year marked by rosy-cheeked shoppers, Christmas radio specials, and wintery cheer. Here at the Beacon, the holidays are also a time to highlight members of the community who improve the lives of those around them. Their compassion is as much a part of the holiday spirit as are gingerbread cookies.

Volunteers stand out in the cold raising funds and support for those in need. Church groups, businesses, and other organizations take time from their daily demands to make sure nobody slips through the cracks this season. Families all across the valley teach their children that it’s far better to give than it is to receive.

Our annual Giving Back issue celebrates just a few of these devoted, caring citizens. Getting to know them and their stories feels just as good as ripping open that first present under the tree.

Happy holidays!

— Beacon Staff

*Kate Borton feeds llamas and goats at All Mosta Ranch in Marion on Dec. 18, 2015. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon*

Finding Purpose on the Ranch

All Mosta Ranch continues its tradition of compassion and care for rescued farm animals

By Molly Priddy

The road to All Mosta Ranch is long and winding, an apt way to begin a trip to a place where everyone living there ended up out of a sheer determination to exist, with a little compassion and love thrown in for good measure. READ MORE »»»

*Greg Scott helping Tanzanian villagers build and maintain wells to access clean water. Courtesy Gregg Scott*

Giving Water

Lakeside’s Gregg Scott teaches Tanzanian villages how to build and maintain water wells

By Tristan Scott

The most basic need in life is clean, available water. Gregg Scott, of Lakeside, knows this firsthand. READ MORE »»»

B. Bradford Fenchak, left, and Naomi Davidson, with the Community Kitchen - Feeding the Flathead, Inc., pictured on Dec. 15, 2015. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon — *B. Bradford Fenchak, left, and Naomi Davidson, with the Community Kitchen – Feeding the Flathead, Inc., pictured on Dec. 15, 2015. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon*

The Lovin’ Spoonful

Community Kitchen-Feeding the Flathead serves up hearty meals and Christmas spirit for the hungry and homeless

By Clare Menzel

Naomi Davidson stood at the counter in the Kalispell Central Christian Church basement buttering slice after slice of bread, slipping the plastic sleeve off each new loaf and piling the plates high. READ MORE »»»

Tad Harnett, center, and Ali Williams remove ceiling panels while helping renovate the Sparrows Nest in Kalispell with the Leaders of Tomorrow with United Way group on Dec. 16, 2015. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon

A Safety Nest

Sparrow’s Nest of Northwest Montana nearly ready to start housing homeless high school students

By Molly Priddy

Great ideas are born all the time, but usually, to come to fruition, they hinge on a single moment, a point in time when a different decision could have led nowhere at all. READ MORE »»»

*Raelynn Keller hugs her brother, Hunter, on Dec. 17, 2015. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon*

For the Love of a Brother

Four-year-old Kalispell sister raises money to support her brother and other local children with disabilities and delays