Program provides hundreds of volunteers
When Mary Mister retired from her working life, her volunteer activities kicked into high gear. She delivers Meals on Wheels, helps at the ImagineIF Library, works on special events at the Conrad Mansion Museum and serves as a teacher in the 1895 Classroom at the Museum at Central School.
The Retired Senior and Volunteer Program, a United Way member agency, provides Mister and hundreds of others with the opportunity to volunteer at one or more of 61 participating agencies throughout the Flathead Valley.
During 2014, volunteers contributed 41,706 hours to the community.
Mister said she was determined to maintain an active retirement after watching too many people retire from activity after they retired from paying jobs.
“I like to volunteer because it’s nice to be retired, but it’s kind of boring,” said Mister, who returned to the Flathead Valley four years ago after being away for 20 years. She signed up for RSVP the second week she was back in the valley and now is serving her second term on the RSVP Advisory Council.
She loves volunteering, including her meal deliveries.
“That is absolutely the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done,” she said. “The people are waiting for me with smiles on their faces.”
RSVP is one of the many agencies and services that benefit from the local United Way fundraising campaign that currently is underway.
Great Things Happen When We Live United is the theme of the 2015 fund drive, which benefits a variety of nonprofit agencies that help people throughout Northwest Montana.
The monetary goal is $850,000. The campaign continues through Dec. 31.
A recurring theme of the campaign is building, connecting and strengthening the community, focusing on the difference that an individual can make to help meet everyday needs of everyday people. The United Way has a variety of suggestions for ways that people can improve the world around them.
Donations to the annual fund drive benefit United Way member agencies and services in Flathead County, serving thousands of local individuals and families with a variety of needs. Last year, United Way Member Agencies helped 50,873 people in need. Ninety-nine percent of all money raised stays in local communities to help local citizens.
Mister feels she receives more than she gives by being a community volunteer.
“I love feeling like I’m giving to the community,” she said. “I love Kalispell. I absolutely love it, and feel like I’m helping the different agencies. It’s fun.”
United Way donors may choose how to donate, including cash, payroll deductions, charging to a credit card, direct billing or through an automatic bank transfer. Donors also may designate which member agencies or local affiliated partner agencies or the Montana Shares Federation they want to receive their gift.
For more information on the United Way campaign, call 752-7266. Donations may be mailed to P.O. Box 7217, Kalispell, MT 59904.
Current member agencies are Big Brothers and Sisters, Boy Scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs of Glacier Country, CASA For Kids, Flathead CARE, Flathead Food Bank, Flathead Youth Home, Girl Scouts, Head Start, Literacy Center of Northwest Montana, Mental Health Crisis Line, Nurturing Center, Retired & Senior Volunteer Program, Samaritan House, Sinopah House, Special Friends Advocacy Program, Summit Independent Living Center and the Violence Free Crisis Line and Abbie Shelter.
Services supported by the United Way include Disaster Care Services, Gateway Community Center, Leaders of Tomorrow, United Way 2-1-1 Montana Database Project, Grocery Delivery Program, Teens in Crisis, AARP and VITA Tax Service, Best Beginnings Community Council, Good Grief Camp and the United Way Volunteer Center.
The United Way also supports the following emergency food and shelter programs in Northwest Montana: Bread Basket, Community Harvest Food Bank, Flathead Food Bank, Flathead Youth Home, Helping Hands Fund, Hot Springs Food Pantry, Libby Food Pantry, Mission Valley Food Pantry, Northwest Montana Veterans Food Pantry, Salvation Army Meal Program, Samaritan House and Troy Food Pantry.