Roundup for Safety awards funds to support Libby safety projects

Flathead Electric Cooperative’s Roundup for Safety Board on Jan. 11 awarded $12,705 in grant funds supporting two Libby community safety projects.

Libby Public Schools asked for help funding a backstop for a new youth softball field. Turner Mountain/Kootenai Winter Sports requested assistance purchasing medical supplies and a rescue toboggan for its all-volunteer ski patrol, one of the last of its kind. 

Turner Mountain ski patroller Jeff Carlson expanded, “each patroller supplies their own ski equipment, lift evacuation equipment, and some specialized medical items. Each must also carry the necessary tools and supplies to provide quality on-scene care. The toboggan is to replace one that is no longer safe to use for transporting patients.” 

The Roundup for Safety Board of Directors discussed the ski patrol’s fundraising efforts in support of the grant request with approval. The board awarded $2,705 to Turner Mountain ski patrol. 

Kellen MacDonald detailed plans for Libby High School’s new softball field to the board. He noted the specific request for funding an inline backstop about twice as long as the current backstop, and of a much safer design. The board listened with interest to MacDonald’s detailing of the community support already in place for the new field, including donations from the LOR Foundation, Empire Foods, Foss Chiropractic, and Les Schwab. There are also many in-kind contributions for the project, including a commitment from Rick's Rental for equipment to dig footings; Big Sky Lumber for lumber; and Montana Machine for onsite welding. 

The board awarded $10,000 toward the project. 

All Roundup for Safety funding comes from participating Flathead Electric Cooperatives members who allow their monthly electric bills to be rounded up to the nearest dollar. The program costs each member about $6 per year and has provided over $4.8 million in funding since 1997. To learn more, visit www.flatheadelectric.com/roundup.