The Friends of the Pool and Park Foundation are the recipients of another generous donation, this one from Richard, Rose, Elizabeth, and D.J. Stuker.

Last week, Richard and Rose Stuker stopped by American Garage-where at least two of the board members of the non-profit organization work-to present the Foundation with a $1,000 check. About that gift, President of the Friends of the Pool and Park Foundation (FPPF), Heather DePriest said, "We live in one of the most giving communities! We want to extend a HUGE thank you to the Stukers for their generous donation to the Friends of the Pool and Park Foundation. Thank you for your contribution to the community of Chinook and surrounding areas."

When asked what inspired the family to make the donation, Richard replied, "We live in the country, so our taxes don't support the Chinook City Pool, and the pool has done a lot of good for this community and county. We're paying it forward with this donation. After all, learning to swim is an important skill, and if we can save even one child from the harm of drowning, we know we're making a difference."

Rose and Richard's children, DJ and Liz both took swimming lessons, swam for the Chinook Lions' Swim Team, taught swimming lessons, and also swam competitively in high school after the Sugarbeeters pooled their resources in 1999 to form a co-op so that Chinook High School students could swim with the Havre Blue Ponies.

"While we travelled to other towns with our children during their competitive swimming days, we met several people and formed some life time friendships. Now, twelve or more years later, we still send and receive holiday cards and letters from many of those people," Richard said.

According to DePriest, the FPPF is hoping to raise an additional $10,000 to begin the engineering process of remodeling the park and pool. "If you are considering any end-of-the-year giving, we'd be honored if you consider the Friends of the Pool and Park Foundation. Any contribution amount is gladly accepted and extremely appreciated," she stated.