The Kitchen Band isn’t exactly a symphony orchestra, but the smiles on the audience’s faces shows just how much joy band members bring as they toot on kazoos made of PVC pipe, play horns made from plungers and sing old favorite toe-tapping songs.

The Kitchen Band, under the auspices of the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program, visits assisted living homes and nursing homes throughout the Flathead Valley, entertaining residents who may not find too many occasions to smile.

“I have a connection with these people,” says Marge Littlefield Schrade, the unofficial band leader and announcer for the Kitchen Band, a group of eight or nine volunteers who perform two days a week except during the winter. “The satisfaction I get is the smile on their faces.”

The Kitchen Band is one of the services of RSVP, a United Way member agency that provides meaningful volunteer opportunities by matching abilities and interests of working or retired persons age 55 and older with needs in their communities.

RSVP is just one of the many agencies and services that benefit from the local United Way campaign.

“Advance the Common Good” is the theme of the 2012 United Way fund drive that benefits a variety of nonprofit agencies that help neighbors throughout Northwest Montana.

The monetary goal for this year’s fundraising campaign is $804,803, the same amount raised in 2009 — the last time United Way reached its goal. Last year, United Way member agencies helped 44,631 people in need. Ninety-nine percent of all money raised stays in local communities to help local citizens.

Schrade has been part of the Kitchen Band for about seven years ago, since seeing one of their performances. A recent widow, Schrade (then Marge Littlefield) was looking for ways to get involved in new activities and her son suggested that she join the band.

She made excuses for a while but eventually decided to give it a try.

“That’s all it took,” she said, and she’s been a part of the band ever since.

When she remarried four years ago, she recruited her husband, George, who’s currently the band’s only male musician. Sometimes the performance includes a soft-shoe dance by one of the members; all performances include upbeat music and encouragement for the audience to participate.

It’s clear that their audiences appreciate the music and the warmth of a touch on the shoulder.

“I can tell how much they enjoy it by the way we’re treated,” Schrade said. “They’re all sitting up waiting for us. I get a wonderful feeling in my heart.”

During the nine months of the year they perform, the Kitchen Band members criss-cross the valley, from Bigfork to Columbia Falls to Whitefish and Kalispell.

“I appreciate these girls. I really do,” Schrade said of her bandmates. “I really appreciate the efforts these ladies put in as volunteers and I tell them that all the time.”

Schrade said RSVP is very responsive in supporting the Kitchen Band.

“They are so dedicated. I just love them all,” she said. “I can’t say enough good about them.”

The United Way campaign is currently in full swing throughout the Flathead Valley.

Donors may choose how to donate, including cash, payroll deductions, charging to a  credit card, direct billing or through an automatic bank transfer. Donors also may designate which member agencies or local affiliated partner agencies or the Montana Shares Federation they want to receive their gift.

For more information on the United Way campaign, call 752-7266. Donations may be mailed to P.O. Box 7217, Kalispell, MT 59904.