Montanans come together to raise fire funds, provide aid

Over a million Montana acres have burned during this historic 2017 wildfire season, costing the state approximately $62.2 million in fire relief funds.

Though a state of emergency was issued in multiple counties across the northwestern area of the state, little of that funding came from federal aid.

Instead, Montanans were forced to lean on each other and join together to fight against one of the most devastating fire seasons in Montana’s recent history.

Statewide, the American Red Cross of Montana received more than $70,000 in donations since the fires began in July.

Those donations alone provided approximately 10 percent of the of agency’s budget for disaster response and relief across Montana.

According to the regional communications director of the ARCM, Matt Ochsner, those donations helped open 18 shelters across the state, provide around 1,000 meals for victims and evacuees, train volunteers and replenish supplies like blankets and cots.

“Montanans have been amazingly generous and have really given us the support that we need to respond during this wildfire season,” Ochsner said.

Of that $70,000, around $14,500 came from Flathead, Lincoln, Lake and Missoula counties through the Montana Disaster Fund and Wildfire Relief Fund.

But residents of northwest Montana didn’t stop at the Red Cross.

Organizations across the Flathead Valley and beyond have held events throughout the summer and into the fall.

The newly created Disaster Relief for Montana organization has hosted multiple events, including a concert series and a collaborative fundraiser with the owners of five McDonald’s locations across the Flathead Valley.

The McDonald’s fundraiser took place on Sept. 19; over the course of the day, 29 percent of all sales were donated directly to local and regional fire relief efforts.

Together with the two concerts the organization has hosted so far, the team’s efforts have raised about $20,000 to help victims and firefighters.

For the fifth year hosting the annual “Rumble in the Jungle,” the students of Lincoln County High School decided to donate the fundraiser’s proceeds, which usually go toward funding sports and extracurriculars at the school, to fire relief efforts instead this year.

As a result, between 300 and 400 people filled the bleachers for the live auction in Eureka, selling more than 200 items and raising around $44,000 in four hours, according to high school principal and event coordinator Joel Graves.

The Montana Shirt Co. in Whitefish has also gotten on board with fire relief efforts by joining the Montana Strong Movement.

The company decided to produce their own Montana Strong T-shirt, giving 100 percent of the sales back to fire relief.

Within one week, T-shirt sales produced $25,000. The Montana Television Network agreed to partner with the company, matching that amount to raise the total funds to $50,000.

According to the T-shirt company’s president, Dave Elliott, the shirt’s success has continued and the company plans to make another donation at the end of the month. Elliott estimated that amount will be around $10,000.

The T-shirts are available for purchase in store at the Montana Shirt Co. in Whitefish or online at https://www.montanashirtco.com.

The fires’ effects can still be felt throughout the state, and though the fire season is drawing to a close, relief efforts are only getting started.

Disaster Relief for Montana plans to continue its fundraising concert series and has scheduled several artists and concerts through the fall.

Several local grocery stores continue to collect goods and donations for fire victims at various locations.

Epworth United Methodist Church in Kalispell will hold a rummage sale on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 329 Second Ave. E. Proceeds will go to the United Methodist Committee on Relief, an organization that has provided $10,000 for fire relief in Montana this fire season.

To donate directly to the American Red Cross of Montana, visit http://www.redcross.org/local/montana or call 800-272-6668.

To announce other fire relief efforts and events, contact reporter Mary Cloud Taylor. She can be reached at 758-4459 or mtaylor@dailyinterlake.com.