EDITORIAL: Help cancer patients and families

For 20 years Wings Regional Cancer Support has wrapped its mission around the notion that the last thing individuals and families affected by cancer need is to worry about how to pay for out-of-pocket expenses when their lives are put on hold by the disease. The nonprofit organization has raised more than $2 million since 1996 to help out with expenses related to cancer treatment.

Today and Friday, Wings’ annual radiothon will be underway at Sportsman & Ski Haus. Bee Broadcasting will be covering the event live, promoting the fundraiser. Most of us know someone who has battled cancer. It’s a worthy cause to help those who need gas money or a plane ticket to get to an out-of-state cancer treatment center. Can you help Wings soar this year to help even more cancer patients? Call 257-9464 to make a pledge.

Foster grandparents needed to give out hugs

Want to help the community, but don’t have money to spare? There are lots of other ways to participate. Volunteers are always needed for a good cause.

The Foster Grandparent Program is one program that is desperately in need of older residents who have time and energy to share their world with young children who need a mentor. There are currently only two volunteers in Kalispell, and one in Columbia Falls, but there are lots of children who would benefit from this program.

Foster grandparents must be 55 or older, and are required to commit to at least 15 hours of service a week. There is a modest stipend of $2.65 an hour available for low-income seniors, but as one foster grandmother told us, another big benefit for participants is all the hugs!

If you think, you can help, call program director Micky Snyder at 406-883-7284.