Vet Center's mission worthy of praise

For 40 years the Kalispell Vet Center has been an important safety net for veterans in need of readjustment counseling and other resources.

Congress saw the need for such centers in 1979, in the aftermath of the Vietnam War, when many of those returning veterans were struggling with integration into civilian life. Eventually vet centers expanded programming and eligibility qualifications to serve veterans from other wars, along with active duty personnel and families of fallen service members.

We applaud the vet center’s mission of helping returning military members in whatever struggles they may have in transitioning from active service to the routine of daily life. Sometimes, simply sharing one’s experiences can make all the difference. As Navy veteran Joseph Robinson pointed out in a recent Daily Inter Lake article, “talking about it works big-time in the healing process.”

We salute the staff at the Kalispell Vet Center, and all who are involved in helping our veterans.

If you’re a veteran in need of help, call the Kalispell Vet Center at 257-7308. They’re ready to help.

Bigfork Elementary School students eager for updated playground equipment have put in some serious mileage to reach their fundraising goal — now it’s time for the adults to push this project across the finish line.

Over the last five years, these young students have raised an impressive $45,000 toward new play equipment through an annual fun run. That’s a big chunk of change, but play equipment isn’t cheap — another $30,000 still needs to be raised for phase 1. Now, the Bigfork Parent Teacher Association is seeking to finish the job.

We love to see the grassroots, collaborative effort between parents and students. The school district has also committed financial support for phase 2. It’s a true testament to the spirit of Bigfork, with folks of all ages coming together to address a need in the community.

To learn more or to get involved, contact Jennifer Bach at 406-250-8262.