Grant Awards Benefit Non-Profit Organizations in Blaine County
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On December 20, the Montana Community Foundation announced that grant awards totaling $5,800 have been awarded from the Blaine County Community Foundation Fund to support the communities and residents of Blaine County. Four local non-profit organizations will directly benefit from the recent grant awards.
The Blaine County Community Foundation Fund (BCCFF) was established at the Montana Community Foundation (MCF) by community leader Warren Ross in 1997. Annual grant cycle disbursements promote community services. Additional financial support for this grant program derives from the Ross 87 Ranch Endowment Fund, also established by Ross.
Among the non-profits that will benefit from the recent grant awards, the Chinook Rod and Gun Club was awarded $1,700 for clubhouse updates, including a new porch roof and generator. After learning of the award, Joe Kennedy, who serves on the Board for the Rod and Gun Club, said: "I was incredibly excited. Our clubhouse is a facility that we continue to try and improve and expand, not just for use by our club but also for others, like 4-H, Hunter Education Classes, FFA events, and more. It's not just about our mission statement to promote individual and family experiences by creating enjoyable environments and opportunities in shooting sports, fishing, and the outdoors in general. It is about truly being a community partner."
Another recipient, Sweet Memorial Nursing Home received $1,700 for holiday decorations. According to Sweet Memorial Nursing Home (SMNH) Administrator Rebecca Shackelford, the nursing home was in need of some updated outdoor decorations. Because the facility is situated along Highway 2 and in the public eye, decorating is important to personnel at the Home. They not only purchased new lights for the large pine in front of their facility but also purchased strings of lights for other trees on the grounds and secured a number of outdoor lighted decorations, including snowmen, Rudolph, and a sleigh with presents.
"Decorating-both inside and out-is a priority so that our residents can enjoy all the holiday spirit that we can provide for them," Shackelford stated. "We were blessed to have a couple of Red Rock Power employees donate their time and equipment to hang our lights.
Mary Pyette has been a long time nursing home board member, and Heather Nesslar here in our front office also happened to have the friendly connection to ask Loren Skoyen and Terry Moxley to do that for us. We have received a lot of positive comments about how nice that tree looks this year."
Some of the grant money was also spent on updated indoor decorations. "We decorate all the halls, the dining room, the activity room, and the chapel. Our supply of decorations gets a lot of use each year, so we were glad to be able to purchase some newer lights and decorations. I know the activity room has a new tree this year as well," Shackelford reported.
Shackelford went on to say that the staff at SMNH are invested in ensuring that the facility creates a festive feel for all of their residents. For example, Jenni Pula donated her time and the supplies to add to the outdoor decorations. "The lighted trees she made for us definitely enhance our outdoor decorations and are worth mentioning!"
A third non-profit, Pets Are Worth Saving (PAWS), Incorporated received $1,700 to provide year-round spay/neuter assistance to Blaine County residents. About the award, President Alissa Hewitt said, "We are thrilled! The shelter has many expenses, but our main goal has always revolved around assisting with spay/neuter services. This grant will help us continue to assist families in Blaine County who cannot afford the procedure in full. We truly believe that there are no unplanned litters. If your animals are not spayed/neutered, you are definitely planning for a future litter. PAWS of Chinook provides year round assistance with these costs, and we are happy to receive some much needed funds to help us continue that work! We would like to thank the Blaine County Endowment for their support; choosing to help your local shelter is always a win for the community."
Finally, to support the digitization of past issues of the Chinook Opinion and for general support, a $700 award went to the Blaine County Museum.
"In the small communities of Blaine County, our local non-profits touch all ages, young to old," said Kasie McIntosh, fund representative from BCCFF. "These grants help to preserve history, protect animals, help those in need, provide our youth with safe, fun summer activities, and give our families access to free or inexpensive entertainment and learning."
Since its establishment in 1988, the MCF has worked to build stronger communities. With offices in both Helena and Missoula, the organization's efforts with donors, charitable organizations, cities, and towns have played a critical role in both philanthropic and community development. From the time of their founding, the MCF has reinvested more than $90 million in Montana through scholarships, grants, and programs.
According to their Facebook Page, the MCF helps donors leave a permanent legacy to Montana communities. A spokesperson for the Foundation stated: "As Montana's only statewide community foundation, we provide sound financial management, charitable giving, and philanthropic expertise. We strive to be a center for philanthropy in Montana, working to connect donors, charitable organizations and communities to solve Montana's persistent and critical challenges. At the Montana Community Foundation, we cultivate a culture of giving so Montana communities can flourish."
Anyone interested in giving, learning more, or setting philanthropic goals to ensure a strong future for Montana is encouraged to visit the MCF website at mtcf.org.
