Flathead High School alumni help current students through donations

When Carol Lechner saw a Facebook post from the Heart Locker last year asking for donations for teens for Christmas, she wanted to help. A year later, it has officially grown into a tradition for Lechner and the Flathead Alumni and Friends.  

The Heart Locker, also called the Kalispell H.E.A.R.T. Program, partners with Kalispell and Evergreen school districts to support children, youth, young adults and their families who are facing housing insecurity or homelessness by connecting them with resources to meet their basic needs.  

“It can’t be overstated how much community donations mean to our program,” said Janelle Willett, the team and young adult case manager and homeless liaison for Heart Locker. 

Each year, the program identifies the students in the districts facing housing insecurity. For the 2024-2025 school year, the program found 450 kids in Kalispell and Evergreen school districts.  

And while a lack of Christmas gifts is not the teenagers' most pressing need, donations can help brighten the holiday season. 

There are other programs — like Toys for Tots — that provide Christmas gifts to some of the younger kids who face housing insecurity. Teenagers are often overlooked and underserved because they don’t qualify, Willett said, which is where the Heart Locker comes in. That is a big reason why the nonprofit requested help for teens and young adults specifically. 

“I just thought to myself that these kids are so under-served in so many ways. Whether its housing insecurity, food insecurity, companion insecurity, whatever it is they deserve more, that’s why we do it,” said Lechner, who graduated from Flathead High School in 1971.  

Last year, Lechner, classmate Susie Vaughn and friend Mary Vollertsen organized the donation, bringing 50 stockings to the organization to hand out to kids in need.  

“It was pretty emotional for me,” Willett said, reflecting on last year’s gift. “For quite a few of our kids, it was the only thing they received for Christmas.” 

This year, rather than making stockings, Lechner and her group are giving the donations directly to the Heart Locker to ensure that the kids get what they need.  

Standing in her Kalispell garage, Lechner went through the boxes of donations that she and her classmates collected. From deodorant and toothbrushes to basketballs to gift cards, the group raised more this year than last.  

“We had more help this year, and more graduated classes also stepped in to help,” Lechner said. “Reconnecting with people we graduated with 50 years ago has been great, and especially through helping our community.” 

It’s something Lechner plans on doing every holiday season now.  

The Heart Locker recently moved to a new location at Elrod Elementary, located at 412 Third Ave. W. There is a box in the front office to drop off donations. This time of year, Willett said, warm clothing and weather-appropriate gear is essential.  

“Our goal is to ensure that every kid in the public schools gets some sort of gift, knowing that they are cared about and loved at large,” Willett said.  

Reporter Kate Heston may be reached at 758-4459 or kheston@dailyinterlake.com.

    Carol Lechner, of the Flathead High School graduating class of 1971, helped Heart Locker raise donations for Christmas this year with other class members and friends. (Kate Heston/Daily Inter Lake)
 Kate Heston   

    Donations for the Heart Locker were collected by Flathead High School graduates. (Kate Heston/Daily Inter Lake)
 Kate Heston