Roundup for Safety funds orange safety vests for Hunter Ed grads
Columbia Falls area youth Hunter Education graduates with their hunter orange vests. (Photo courtesy Flathead Wildlife, Inc.)
Flathead Electric Cooperative’s Roundup for Safety Directors has awarded $30,539 to seven area nonprofits, including Flathead Wildlife, Inc., a fish and wildlife sportsman group made up of men, women, and youth from the Flathead area.
Flathead Wildlife works with Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks to provide each successful area graduate of the Hunter Education program with a hunter orange safety vest.
The Roundup for Safety Board has helped to fund these vests over the years and awarded $5,300 toward another 1,000 vests.
Jim Vashro presented on behalf of Flathead Wildlife, noting, “Two of Flathead Wildlife’s primary goals are to preserve Montana’s hunting heritage and to involve youth in the outdoors. The partnership on the hunter safety vests between Roundup for Safety, the Montana Hunter Education Program, and Flathead Wildlife achieve both goals in a safe way that encourages interest in the outdoors and promotes time afield with friends and family.”
Vashro shared that Montana law requires that hunters wear at least 400 square inches of hunter orange above the waist while in the field and that hunter orange has proven to be a significant factor (up to a 94% reduction) in reducing injury and death from mistaken identity accidents. In awarding funds, the board noted the nonprofit’s matching funds and partnership with FWP with approval.
Community safety grants were also awarded to: Logan Health for bike helmets for distribution at Spring into Safety event at $9,924, Montana Kayak Academy for personal flotation devices and whitewater helmets at $1,865, Girls on the Run for safety flags, vests, AED at $2,600, Ravenwood Outdoor Learning Center for bear safety equipment at $3,500, North Valley Music School for AED, CPR/AED training, choking device at $2,350, and Lions Bitterroot Youth Camp for playground safety, excavation, pea gravel at $5,000.
The Roundup for Safety Board will consider April applications through March 31 and vote on them at its April 13 meeting. To apply for community safety funds, visit www.flatheadelectric.com/roundup or call Courtney Stone at 406-751-1820.