As principal at Ruder Elementary School in Columbia Falls, I would like to extend a huge thank you to our school’s PTO and staff.

With many hands working together collaboratively, they organized and volunteered many hours to put together a wonderful spring carnival enjoyed by hundreds of students and parents in an effort to raise money for our playground. It is a true honor to work with each and every one of them.

I would also like to thank our parents, students and community for attending the event. It was a tremendous joy watching the children and adults having such an enjoyable time. It is times like these that I truly love living in a small community and watching as people come and support their children and enjoy an evening together. It will be a night to be remembered by all and one I am sure will hold a fond spot in the children’s memories.

Lastly, I would like to thank all the businesses that have supported our playground fundraising. It is through the kindness of others that we will be able to provide the children a new playground structure.

A huge thank you goes out to Kalispell Toyota, Eisenger Motors, Plum Creek, Flathead Electric Cooperative, Glacier Shave Ice, Empress Tents & Events, Glacier Raft Company, Whitefish Animal Hospital, Northern Rockies Outfitters, Simply Flours, Smith’s Food and Drug, Super 1 Foods, Cotton Candy Vendors Sam and Bernadette Kemlen, and Western Building Center. We appreciate your kindness and are filled with gratitude.

Brenda Krueger, principal

Ruder Elementary School