An account was opened Friday at Valley Bank for contributions to the McKinnon children of Marion.

They were orphaned after their father, Shannon "Butch" McKinnon shot their mother, Gina, and then killed himself on Nov. 23. Gina McKinnon succumbed to her injuries a week later in a Seattle hospital.

Marion fire department's auxiliary began a fund-raiser for the children, ages 13 and 15. To simplify donations, since the department has its own fund-raisers going on, the money was transferred to an account for the children at Valley Bank.

Anna Marie Bailey, a neighbor of the McKinnons, worked with the auxiliary and the fire department to make the switch.

Donations can simply be marked "McKinnons," according to Carrie Diede, new accounts representative at Valley Bank.

Bailey hopes that people cashing or depositing paychecks can simply drop off a contribution in the bank drive-through. Donations also can be mailed to Valley Bank or taken to the main bank.

"If people donate one little thing and everyone did it," it would amass a significant amount for the children, Bailey said. She thinks about what would happen if everyone in the Flathead donated just $5 each.

"These kids can't get enough," Bailey said.

Besides cash, she said she thinks they need books.

"What a wonderful escape for them to read a book," Bailey said.

The children are staying for now with neighbors Dan and Carol Kinniburgh, whom Bailey calls "saints."

"We are not saints," Carol Kinniburgh said. "It is only because of our lord Jesus Christ and what he did for us that we are able. He lives in our hearts."

The children, she said, "are safe. They are well-loved."

Bailey suggests gift certificates for the family as it picks up expenses for the children.

"These are two of the sweetest kids you've ever met," she said.

"My heart is so sad for these kids," she said. What they need most of all "is love."

The bank account will be one expression of that.

Reporter Chery Sabol may be reached at 758-4441 or by e-mail at csabol@dailyinterlake.com