Friends of Glacier set aside a day

What a grand idea the One Day for Glacier benefit seems to be! This Saturday more than 150 businesses in communities around Glacier National Park will be raising money that will be dedicated to the park.

More specifically, proceeds will be going to the Glacier National Park Conservancy, the non-profit that provides valuable support to the park in a variety of ways.

Some businesses are making flat donations, while others are asking customers to donate a dollar, or round up purchases to the next dollar, and some are providing matches to customer donations. 

Participating businesses from the Flathead Valley to Great Falls will be signaling their involvement with posted signs and instructions about the ways they can contribute to the park. 

This was obviously an effort that took considerable coordination on the part of the conservancy, but it also got significant buy-in from the business community, winning endorsements from every chamber of commerce in the Flathead Valley.

Hopefully, it will measure up to expectations. If so, maybe a One Week for Glacier campaign will be in the park’s future!

Fair sponsorship a good idea

Speaking of corporate generosity, we were pleased to see that the Whitefish Credit Union has signed up for a three-year stint as sponsor of the Northwest Montana Fairgrounds.

The credit union will donate $75,000 over the next three years that will allow the fairgrounds to make improvements and add amenities that would not be possible within the regular budget. In return the credit union will get signage and banners during the fair and at other times.

Sounds like a win-win to us, and allows two venerable local institutions to team up for the good of the community.

Rev up your engines for fun

It’s another fun summer weekend shaping up for the Flathead Valley, headlined by three big free events at three separate venues.

The Evergreen Rod Run and Show and Shine kicks things off today, with the Rod Run registration starting at 5:30 p.m. at Snappy Sport Center. The vehicular fun continues all day Saturday at the Show and Shine in the Conlin’s Furniture parking lot on Montana 35.

On Saturday and Sunday, art fans can enjoy the Bigfork Festival of the Arts featuring more than 125 booths lining Electric and Grand Avenues.

On the other side of Flathead Lake, vintage boats are the attraction in Lakeside at the Big Sky Antique and Classic Boat Show on Saturday and Sunday.