When Meadowlark fourth grader Griffin Crowley and his family returned to their home in south Blaine County after being evacuated because of the East Fork Fire, Griffin made a sign for the front yard. One side read "Pray for rain" and the other read "Thank you firefighters." Asked why she thought her son made the sign, Jacy Crowley teared up a bit as she explained, "I think when we returned to the house and he saw the devastation from the fire, he was overwhelmed."

Jacy added, "He did the sign all by himself. I was busy bringing things back into the house from the time we had to leave. I didn't realize what he was doing until I saw the sign." Asked why he did the sign, Griffin was thoughtful, "When I got back to my house I saw how the west side of the mountain had burned. I just decided to make a sign about how I felt." The Crowleys were one of several families evacuated at the height of the East Fork Fire that wreaked havoc in much of the southwest corner of Blaine County.

Emily Scofield and Shandel Fouts, both fourth grade teachers where Griffin is a student, were looking for a way to help the victims of the fire. Scofield explained, "We knew there were folks who would need help replacing things lost and critical to their ag operations. We teamed up with the Chinook junior high and senior high FFA chapter to come up with a way to raise and disburse funds to help people right away." With some help through social media, the fundraising event began and is already enjoying a great deal of interest and support.

Signs for the times

Using Griffin's idea of a sign to express how he was feeling in light of the situation, organizers of the fundraiser are making and selling signs with expressions related to the fire. The wording on each sign, made of weathered wood, is being painted by Meadowlark students. The FFA students are putting the signs together. There will be signs, with posts, for erecting in yards or gardens and signs, without posts, for hanging inside or as part of a decoration.

One day after the fundraiser was announced on Facebook, organizers said they had already sold about a dozen signs and Facebook users were writing, "I want one of those signs" and "Save one for me." Shandel Fouts, who is coordinating the social media part of the fundraiser, said, "Two days after we made the first post on Facebook announcing the fundraiser, we had 48 shares and 4,891 likes." To view the Facebook site with information tracking the fundraiser, go to: facebook.com/chinookmeadowlark/

The signs can be purchased at Meadowlark School, Ace Hardware and Shore's Floral in Chinook. Norman's Ranch and Sportswear in Havre also has the signs for sale. Emily Scofield said, "FFA students will be taking donation jars to local businesses to collect to help fire victims." No specific goal was set for the fundraiser, but, Scofield noted, "We want to raise as much as we can to show folks the community is behind them."

The signs cost $20 each and all proceeds will go toward helping folks affected by the fire. To purchase a sign or make a donation to the fundraiser for fire victims, make checks payable to "Chinook FFA Alumni." Checks can be left at the stores where the signs are being sold or sent to the FFA chapter at Chinook High.

For those needing some help

Scofield said, "The only requirement to apply for funds is that the request is a result of the East Fork Fire. We'll try to make the application process as simple as can be-identity of the person making the request, how much funding they need, how the funds will be used and how the expense is related to the fire." Applications for help can be obtained from Scofield via email at: scofielde@chinookschools.org or from Robin Allen, the FFA advisor, at: allenr@chinookschools.org. You can leave a phone message for Emily Scofield at Meadowlark School, 357-2033.

The "Journal" thanks Griffin Crowley for making a sign that eventually stirred his school community to begin the fundraiser to help folks. And thanks to all the folks who have, and will, bought one of the special signs. They truly are signs for the times.