Night in the cold raises money for Sparrow's Nest

About $31,000 was raised for Sparrow’s Nest of Northwest Montana and participation was up during the second annual “12/12: When the Night Comes” fundraising event.

Additional donations are coming in after the event concluded last Sunday morning, according to Sparrow’s Nest Chairwoman Marcia Bumke. She noted that Sparrow’s Nest is set to accept a $10,000 donation from Eisinger Motors on Friday.

About 50 people camped out Saturday night with more than a dozen people stopping by to show their support, Bumke said.

“We had a great group of interested folks that came out and spent the night with us.”

During the event’s inaugural year in 2014, $40,000 was raised with 12 people camping out.

“It’s exciting to see the continued support,” Bumke said.

The event is a major fundraiser for the nonprofit, which is in the process of opening a shelter for homeless teens in Whitefish at 200 Colorado Avenue and is starting renovations for a shelter in Kalispell at 204 Seventh Ave. W.

“We’re ready to go up in Whitefish. We have a conditional use permit and we’re in the process of hiring an executive director and residential manager,” Bumke said.

In Kalispell, a group of 28 Flathead Valley high school student volunteers in Leaders of Tomorrow are slated to kick off the demolition process and prep work for renovations to begin.

Bumke said Sparrow’s Nest continues discussions with concerned residents in Bigfork and Columbia Falls who are interested in opening shelters for homeless teens.

Hilary Matheson is a reporter for The Daily Inter Lake. She may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.