Covid forces cancellation of Flathead fundraising campaign
Marlo Lancaster is doused with colored powder during the Great Fish Color Run in Whitefish in this September 2017 file photo. The 5K run was a benefit for the Whitefish Community Foundation's Great Fish Community Challenge. (Daily Inter Lake)
The Whitefish Community Foundation has canceled the Sept. 11 Great Fish Fun Run and Community Celebration in Depot Park due to the latest surge in coronavirus infections and related hospitalizations.
The annual event is part of the Great Fish Community Challenge, a six-week campaign that raises 61 nonprofits in the Flathead Valley and will continue through Sept. 17.
"We, like many other local nonprofit organizations, have had to make the difficult decision to cancel our event out of concern for the health and safety of our frontline health-care workers, children and most vulnerable community members," Linda Engh-Grady, president of the Whitefish Community Foundation, said in a statement. "Our local hospitals are reporting a sharp increase in Covid-19 patients requiring acute care, approximately 90% of whom are not vaccinated. Clearly, it has become unsafe again to gather in large groups."
In place of the celebration, the foundation plans to broadcast a live program in collaboration with KGEZ Radio in September, with local nonprofits touting the services they provide to the community. Throughout the broadcast, the foundation will award thousands of dollars in Great Fish Incentive Grants. Details of the broadcast have yet to be announced.
The Great Fish Community Challenge enables donors to give to multiple organizations with one transaction. At the conclusion of the challenge, the foundation will award a percentage matching grant. Since 2013, the challenge has raised over $13 million for more than 70 local nonprofits.
This year's challenge is on track to raise over $3 million for the participating charities.
"If you haven't yet supported the Great Fish Community Challenge, now is the time to get involved," Engh-Grady said. "100% your donation goes directly to the nonprofits you designate. Plus, by helping your designated nonprofits hit the $20,000 fundraising mark, your donation goes further with a percentage matching grant from Whitefish Community Foundation."
More information can be found at whitefishcommunityfoundation.org/great-fish.