Letters to the editor Jan. 26

United Way kudos

Thank you, Sherry Stevens and United Way, for all that you have done and continue to do to make our community one that provides countless opportunities for assistance to people in need. The Gateway Community Center, with 23 resident agencies and over 100 additional community agencies using this facility, has opened doors to the Flathead valley citizens with their central location. In addition to these agencies, special services like grocery delivery to 51 clients weekly and the Community Connect and Winter Warm-Up which served 1,134 people last year have provided assistance when needed in our communities.

Kudos to Sherry Stevens and the United Way Board for their tireless work in making this all possible and available.

Sherry Stevens served as director of United Way in many ways above and beyond her job description, generously giving her own time and energy to benefit so many. Her husband, Doug Houtz, and with his weekend crew volunteered their time and expertise to build out, paint and repurpose office spaces and the facilities at the Gateway Community Center. Sherry’s support and assistance while helping promote the success of events happening at Gateway Community Center like the Out of the Darkness Suicide Prevention Walk are examples of her hard work and caring nature.

Thank you once again, Sherry Stevens, for all that you have given to United Way and those needing assistance in our communities.

—Paul Schmaltz, Kalispell

Random shootings

I was appalled while reading the recent front page story of the two people apprehended for the random shootings in the Kalispell area.

This immediately brought my thoughts to the recent Inter Lake story of the Kalispell rodeo queen whose fine horse was shot and killed by some un-thinking person.

My hope is that authorities are already doing ballistic tests on the bullets recovered.

—Will Elliott, Columbia Falls