Community rallies to help orphaned teens

The Daily Inter Lake

News of two teenagers left orphaned and homeless after violence in their home moved the community to help in a big way.

Donations for the McKinnon children in Marion reached more than $22,500 this week, according to John Leach, chief of the Marion fire department.

The department began a collection for the children after their father, Shannon "Butch" McKinnon, shot their mother, Gina McKinnon, and then killed himself on Nov. 23.

The fire department's auxiliary began a fund-raiser for the children, who were taken in by neighbors. Another neighbor, Anna Marie Bailey, opened a fund for the teens at Valley Bank in Kalispell. The fire department's collection of $10,422 went into that account, Leach said.

"People are amazing," he said Thursday. "The community really can be able to pat itself on the back and know they did what's right.

"It's been kind of tight lately," Leach said, but even with the financial pinch of the holidays, many residents contributed $20, $50, $100, even $1,000, he said.

"People still remember how to be a good neighbor and help out people in need," Leach said.

Contributions may still be made at Valley Bank by designating donations to the McKinnon children.

Neighbors Dan and Carol Kinniburgh have taken the children into their home for the rest of the school year, before they move to live with relatives.

Carol Kinniburgh said the children are in counseling and are doing well.