Generosity was not hard to come by for the ALERT air ambulance service, as nearly $135,000 was raised at its 35th annual fundraising banquet April 27.

The largest donation came from Whitefish venture capitalist Mike Goguen, who gave $50,000. 

Goguen owns Two Bear Management, a company that provides support to the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office and local search-and-rescue teams with its own helicopter.

Glacier Bank, the banquet’s $2,000 grand prize winner, and second-prize winner NXGEN donated their winnings back to ALERT.

ALERT chief flight nurse Linda Chambers said that without local support, ALERT would not be possible.

“The community just dotes on and takes care of this program,” Chambers said. 

Former ALERT board members Hollister Larson and Dr. Van Kirke Nelson were presented the Clyde Smith Award at the banquet in recognition of their many contributions and long years of service. Smith was a logger who helped ALERT financially in its early years.

Nelson was a charter member, giving 37 years to ALERT before making the decision to step down last month. 

Chambers received the Triple Divide Award in recognition of her performance above and beyond the call of duty. 

“Honestly I had no clue I was getting the award,” she said. “People were giggling because I was like a deer in the headlights.”

Reporter Ryan Murray may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at rmurray@dailyinterlake.com.