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PEOPLEINBUSINESS
Forest Fire Lookout Association Receives Grant
Toyota Motor Sales, USA and the National Environmental Education Foundation, also known as NEEF, announced a $4,950 grant award to the Northwest Montana Chapter of the For- est Fire Lookout Association.
In 2013, a dedicated group of volun- teers formed the Northwest Montana Chapter of the Forest Fire Lookout Asso- ciation to support federal and state agen- cies in the restoration, maintenance and staffing of fire lookouts on public lands.
“NEEF and Toyota Motor Sales, USA award grants across the country to local groups who are getting their commu- nities involved with our public lands, which helps ensure the wellbeing of the earth and its people,” said Carol Watson, senior vice president for programs for NEEF. “When each of us plays a role in supporting our environment, all of our actions add up to big impact.”
In 2011, Toyota Motor Sales, USA and NEEF formed a partnership to launch the Public Lands Every Day Program to build capacity for local organizations that steward and support public lands throughout the nation. Through this program, NEEF and Toyota Motor Sales, USA are awarding $217,000 this year to 49 groups, including the Northwest Mon- tana Chapter of the Forest Fire Lookout Association.
“The funds will be used to improve our operations by upgrading technology, expanding our outreach and engaging in strategic planning so we are better able to protect our lands for future generations,” said Cathy Calloway, a spokesperson for the association.
Long Established Kalispell Church Breaks Ground on Building Complex
A ground-breaking ceremony was held earlier this month for the new Kalispell Seventh-Day Adventist Church Complex.
The Kalispell Seventh-Day Adventist Church has out-grown our current loca- tion and purchased 20 acres of land on the corner of West Reserve and Spring Creek Road, just west of Glacier High School. After selling its current church to the Kalispell Regional Medical Center, the church made the land purchase and began the huge effort of accessing exactly what its needs are now and what might be needed in the future.
As part of our fundraising effort, the church had a huge garage sale the first weekend in August, which the commu- nity greatly supported.
Plum Creek Donates for Two More Habitat Homes
With a generous donation of just under 1,000 manufactured lumber studs used
for framing two Habitat for Human- ity homes, Plum Creek has once again proven to be a significant community investor and affordable housing sup- porter in the valley.
The donation of lumber to Habitat for Humanity of Flathead Valley will kick off construction for the two new single-fam- ily three bedroom homes in Spring Creek Estates in Kalispell. The fami- lies for these homes have already been chosen, each of the four-member fam- ilies are anxiously awaiting the official groundbreaking so they can start their sweat equity in their year long journey to becoming homeowners.
“Plum Creek has been such an incred- ible supporter not just to Habitat for Humanity and affordable housing, but to several community organizations and we are very fortunate to have such a gen- erous company right in our backyard,” Habitat for Humanity Executive Direc- tor Erin Falcon said. “Plum Creek is not just providing a lumber donation, they are making two families’ homeowner- ship dreams possible by allowing Habi- tat to discount the cost of construction and lower mortgage payments for these families. Without companies like Plum Creek, Habitat’s affordable housing mis- sion would be extremely difficult.”
Plum Creek has donated to several Habitat for Humanity homes over the past years as well as made an annual monetary donation, making Plum Creek’s lifetime donation to Habitat at a value just over $50,000.
The homes receiving the lumber dona- tion at 255 and 265 Short Pine Drive are scheduled to be completed in summer 2016.
By using volunteer labor, homeowner “sweat equity,” and donations from local and national building material suppliers, Habitat for Humanity is able to keep the cost of construction low. Three-thousand hours of volunteer “labor” are required to complete a Habitat home.
Habitat for Humanity holds build days every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. No building experi- ence is necessary to help out on a build site. Habitat’s professional construction site supervisor is on site to assign tasks and supervise all construction. For those interested in volunteering, additional information can be found by calling the Habitat for Humanity administrative office at (406) 257-8800.
Conrad Mansion Roof Fixed Through Community Generosity
Over 200 people attended the 14th annual Death by Chocolate Fundraiser at the Conrad Mansion Museum in April. Proceeds of the fundraiser were ear- marked to repair roof damage caused by an ice jam this past winter. Room spon- sors, businesses and individuals who
donated raffle items, and event attend- ees contributed generously to the cause. The event generated over $13,000 toward the original cost estimate of $15,000. In August, the roof repairs were completed.
When the invoice was delivered to Executive Director Gennifer Sauter, the total repair was just shy of $1,900. This remarkable reduction demonstrates the generosity of the construction compa- nies who donated their labor and those businesses who donated materials. The following businesses are responsible for this significant and unexpectedly chari- table act.
• Kent Meyer Construction donated labor costs.
• Advance Roofing, Inc. donated labor costs.
• RNS Supplies donated building sup- plies (glue, wood, etc.)
• Cenex Harvest States (CHS) donated the horse stall mats for the top coat. • Midway Rental donated the lift to get
supplies/equipment up/down.
• WBC donated supplies (caulk, staples,
dura floor, screws, etc.)
Without the support of generous indi-
viduals in our community who love the Mansion and attend its events, this repair would have cut a significant chunk out of the Mansion’s meager operating budget. After paying the roof repair invoice, the remaining funds will be used for ongoing maintenance and restoration of this 120- year old icon. Thanks to all whose contri- butions support our mission to preserve and exhibit the 1895 Charles E. Conrad estate.
Park Side CEO Jeremy Presta Appointed to FVCC Board of Trustees
The FVCC Board of Trustees appointed Jeremy Presta of Kalispell to fill the open position resulting from for- mer Chair Robert Nystuen of Lakeside’s appointment to the Montana Board of Regents.
Presta has served as president and chief executive officer of Park Side Credit Union since 2002. Prior to Park Side, he served as officer of the bank, loan offi- cer and credit analyst for First National Bank of Montana and assistant man- ager of CitiFinancial and AVCO Finan- cial. He holds a bachelor’s degree in busi- ness administration from the University of Montana. An active volunteer, Presta serves on the Montana West Economic Development Board of Directors, Kalis- pell School District 5’s Career Field Advi- sory Committee and the Boys and Girls Club of Glacier Country Board of Direc- tors. He is past president of Whitefish Rotary and serves as secretary/controller of the Montana Credit Union Network.
“I am honored and humbled to have been appointed to the FVCC Board of Trustees, and I know I have big shoes to fill,” said Presta. “I look forward to the
opportunity of working with the other trustees in helping make a great organi- zation even better.”
Kavanaugh and Everett Join Fidelity Team
Fidelity National Title is continuing to assemble the finest team of escrow and title professionals in the Flathead Val- ley. Cindi Kavanaugh and Wendy Everett have joined the Fidelity Team. In order to better serve the real estate community, Fidelity National Title opened a Bigfork branch in August. Clostio has accepted a position in the Whitefish office as an Escrow Officer. With decades of experi- ence and expertise in escrow services, this team has been assembled to ensure success. Congratulations and welcome.
FVCC Announces Whitefish Credit
Union Community Pride Scholarship
Recipients
Five Flathead Valley Community Col- lege students have been named fall 2015 recipients of Whitefish Credit Union’s Community Pride Scholarships. The students received scholarships totaling $1,875 for the fall 2015 semester at FVCC.
From Kalispell – Michael Craig, pursuing an Associate of Applied Sci- ence degree in welding/fabrication; Lorelei Marble, pursuing an Associate of Applied Science degree in the medical assistant program; Presley Pritchard, pursuing an Associate of Applied Sci- ence degree and an Associate of Science transfer degree toward her career goal of becoming a nurse; and Molly Whitewa- ter Stroupe, pursuing three Associate of Applied Science degrees in accounting, small business management and busi- ness administration.
From Somers – Jennifer Skillings, pursuing an Associate of Applied Science degree in practical nursing.
This is the 20th year Community Pride Scholarships have been awarded to permanent residents of Flathead, Lake and Lincoln counties. Throughout the duration of the program, Whitefish Credit Union has awarded $97,870 in scholarships to 287 students enrolled at Flathead Valley Community College.
Community Pride scholarship crite- ria include financial need, potential for academic and career success and letters of recommendation from non-family members such as a teachers, counselors or employers. Funds are intended to sup- port tuition, fees and book expenses, but tutoring and child-care expenses also are considered.
For more information, contact the FVCC Financial Aid Office at 756-3849.
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SEPTEMBER 30, 2015 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM