Saluting volunteers

Volunteers seem to keep the world moving. I've often been an admirer of anyone who volunteers their time to help others. From those who spend countless hours helping at their church or coaching youth sports to those who take the time to shovel their walks.

It can often be the kindness of strangers that seems to keep the world or at the very least small towns moving. I grew up in Libby and I saw more than once how a community can come together to accomplish any goal.

One of my favorite volunteers has always been my dad, well really, my mom and dad. My dad is on half a dozen boards and many of which he's been the president or committee chair for the group at one time or another. They've volunteered at the Sons of Norway. My dad has been president of the Rotary Club. My mom on the board of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

One of their greatest volunteer efforts has been on the Libby Nordicfest board. My dad as president and mom as treasurer.

Nordicfest recently held its annual event, which I went home to attend. Being there reminded me of the countless hours that they give throughout the entire year to make sure the event goes together perfectly.

Now, growing up as children of volunteers, my brother and I spent many hours of "volunteering by association." We'd go along to help with the various fundraisers and dinners. We'd help sit at whatever booth and sell this or that.

That's where I'd see all the other volunteers who were there working with my parents. It gave me a greater appreciation for those who help out.

The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that about 61.2 million people volunteered through or for an organization at least once between September 2005 and 2006. That's a lot of folks helping out each other. It's a great feeling to know that so many people do even the smallest thing for someone else.

Most recently I've met some Columbia Falls people who give of themselves and had the great opportunity to write about what they do.

There's been Cindy Howell who uses her green thumbs to keep the flowers at the Montana Veterans Home in bloom.

And Dick Lundstrom who has spent years helping children learn about sports.

Or Sylvia Hatten who spent 25 years working to help feed Columbia Falls while volunteering for the Columbia Falls Food Bank.

It's the work of those folks and many, many others that makes me feel like I'm home while living here.

So if there's someone out there that you know of that deserves a little bit of thanks I'd like to write about them.

Heidi Desch is a reporter for the Hungry Horse News. She can be reached at 892-2151 or at hdesch@hungryhorsenews.com.