Turning trash into treasure

For 32 years the North Valley Hospital Auxiliary has been turning trash into treasure for the hospital and the community. Every year in September auxiliary members collect a wealth of donated items for the sale and turn the proceeds back over to the hospital for various projects and equipment. A big percentage of the money also is earmarked for scholarships for North Valley residents pursuing studies in the field of medicine.

This year over $8,000 was raised at their annual Trash 'n Treasure sale, and $3,000 of that went into the scholarship fund.

Having joined the auxiliary in 1970, Jessie Harring is the group's longest-serving member. She initiated the rummage sale fund-raiser back in 1971. After nearly 30 years as chairwoman, Harring says co-chairmen Bill and Anita Flint took over several years ago and have done an incredible job ever since.

In the last three years the auxiliary's fund-raising efforts have raised nearly $25,000 for the Capital Campaign of the North Valley Hospital Foundation.

The Foundation's is the philanthropy arm of North Valley Hospital.

Carol Blake has been its executive director for the last five years and involved in community relations for 13 years. "The $25,000 goal has been a huge undertaking for the auxiliary," she says. The funds will go toward the construction costs and equipment for the new hospital. Blake reports that the groundbreaking for the new facility is scheduled for the first quarter of 2005 with construction to be completed by late fall 2006.

"Because of their generosity the new gift shop will be named after the auxiliary," says Blake. As administrative liaison for the auxiliary, Blake's worked closely with the group over the years, and remembers that prior to the Foundation's organization, for close to 50 years, the auxiliary itself was the fund-raising arm for North Valley Hospital.

Over that time their efforts have made many significant equipment contributions to the hospital, from bed scales for weighing patients and equipment for the wound therapy team, to a new oven for the dietary department.

The Harvest Food Drive was once again successful for area food banks, thanks to the Northwest Montana Association of Realtors. John Osweiler, chairperson for the Realtors' 18th annual drive, reports that nearly 17,000 pounds of food was collected in Kalispell, Columbia Falls, Lakeside, Bigfork and Whitefish.

The Flathead Food Bank thanks all the Realtors and their families who pitched in to fight hunger in the Flathead Valley. The donations help replenish the food bank after the busy summer months and prepare the pantry locations for the coming winter. The food collected in Kalispell will also be shared with the Evergreen and Martin City pantries.

Osweiler, along with committee members Barb Funk and Janeen Lempke also thank the Flathead Valley for its generosity; Super One Foods for donating bags, Northwest Montana Human Resources for sponsoring its own food drive, and Insty Prints for the free posters.