Booster club gears up for big event

If John Thiebes had his wish, every Kalispell parent with a son or daughter in high school would be a member of the Flathead Glacier High School Booster Club.

"It would be nice," said Thiebes, president of the club.

"We're increasing (our membership) every year."

But not as fast as he would like.

Thiebes is pushing for 100 percent membership.

The booster club currently has about 200 active members. In an effort to increase that total, there will be a special sign-up session the night of the upcoming annual auction.

Those registering that evening will be eligible for a special drawing.

An annual membership is $35. Corporate memberships are also available.

The booster club has raised over $200,000 the last five years for Flathead High School.

Last year the club presented FHS with a check for $45,000.

"We have gotten better every year," Thiebes said.

"Raised more money every year. We would like to increase our contribution to the school this year."

Increasing the contributions this year and from here on out, however, is going to be very crucial as Glacier High School is set to open in the fall of 2007. So instead of raising money for one school every year, the booster club will now be doing it for two.

"There are pros and cons of having one booster club for two schools," said Thiebes.

"By having one, it will alleviate the pressure on (local) businesses. They won't be getting hit from two high school booster clubs."

One of the club's biggest events takes place next week - the 2006 Booster Club Auction. It is scheduled for Nov. 11 at the Red Lion Hotel (Kalispell Center Mall) beginning at 6 p.m.

There will be a live and silent auction.

The booster club also has a Black/Orange barbecue to kick off the fall activities season and a Fine Arts Night in the spring. Those two events will take place at both schools starting with the 2007-08 school year.

The club this year is raising money for Flathead and setting aside money for Glacier. After that, money will always be split 50/50.

"We're very fortunate in this town where individuals and businesses have been very supportive of high school activities," said Thiebes.

"We (also) have good people (in the booster club)."

Two individuals - Denise Nalty and Kim Nystuen - have been tireless workers according to Thiebes.

"They do a tremendous amount of work for us and they have done that over the years," he said. "It's people like that that makes something like this successful."

There are currently 11 board members with the booster club. Reed Gunlikson is the president-elect.

The board meets formally once a month. The annual meeting is in May.

Money raised by the club goes to sports as well as other school activities like band, choir, drama, speech, etc. It has been spent on uniforms, equipment and trips.

The activities director makes recommendations on how the money is distributed, said Thiebes.

For more information on the booster club, contact Thiebes at 257-5788.