As a Boy Scout executive, Levi Knight hopes to help pass on the values and skills he learned through Scouting to the next generation of young people.

“Scouting instilled in me a sense of responsibility and citizenship in my community, along with the concept of service and the desire to serve others. It also gave me an appreciation for nature and the out-of-doors,” said Knight, a recent Arizona State University graduate who is the district executive for the Northwest and Silvertip units of the Boy Scouts of America. 

A total of 840 young people are involved in Scouting programs in the two units, ranging from Cub Scouts to Eagle Scouts, grades 1 through 12. Scouting is a volunteer-based organization; troops are usually sponsored by churches or civic groups. 

The Boy Scouts organization is one of the many agencies and services that benefit from the local United Way campaign. “Say Yes! Change Lives, Give Hope, Live United” is the theme of the 2014 United Way fund drive, which benefits a variety of nonprofit agencies throughout Northwest Montana.

The campaign goal is $700,000. The campaign continues through Dec. 31.

Knight participated in Scouting as a youngster in Billings, eventually earning the rank of Eagle Scout. 

“My family and I have been involved with Scouting my entire life,” said Knight, who started his current job in September. He will  provide professional support for existing Scout groups and work with community members to expand Scouting opportunities.

“We’re very excited to be in Kalispell and I’m thrilled with the potential for growth of the Scouting program in the area,” he said. 

Knight noted that two world-class Scouting facilities, Melita Island and Grizzly Base Camp, are in Northwest Montana and provide wonderful opportunities for Scouts.

The Boy Scouts of America is one of the nation’s largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations. The program combines educational activities and lifelong values with fun.

“Scouting is one of the only things that you can do as a child that you can put on your resume as an adult,” Knight said.

A recurring theme of the United Way campaign is building, connecting and strengthening our community, focusing on the difference that an individual can make to help meet everyday needs of everyday people. The United Way has a variety of suggestions for ways that people can improve the world around them. 

Donations to the annual fund drive benefit United Way member agencies and services in Flathead County, serving thousands of individuals and families with a variety of needs. Last year, United Way member agencies helped 48,125 people in need. Ninety-nine percent of all money raised stays in local communities to help local citizens. 

In addition to Boy Scouts, current United Way Member Agencies are Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Clubs of Glacier Country, CASA For Kids, Eagle Transit,  Flathead CARE, Flathead Food Bank, Flathead Youth Home, Girl Scouts, Head Start, Literacy Volunteers, Mental Health Crisis Line, Nurturing Center, Retired & Senior Volunteer Program, Samaritan House, Sinopah House, Special Friends Advocacy Program, Summit Independent Living Center and the Violence Free Crisis Line and Abbie Shelter.  

Services supported by the United Way include Disaster Care Services, Gateway Community Center, Leaders of Tomorrow, United Way 2-1-1 Montana Database Project, Senior Grocery Delivery Program, Teens in Crisis, AARP and VITA Tax Service, Best Beginnings Community Council, Good Grief Camp, the United Way Volunteer Center and Youth Suicide Prevention Project.

The United Way also supports the following emergency food and shelter programs in Northwest Montana: Bread Basket, Community Harvest Food Bank, Flathead Food Bank, Flathead Food Bank, Flathead Youth Home, Helping Hands, Hot Springs Food Pantry, Libby Food Pantry, Mission Valley Food Pantry, Northwest Montana Veterans Food Pantry, Salvation Army Meal Program, Samaritan House and Troy Food Pantry.

The United Way also provides community resources including the annual Answer Book, a counseling directory and a Volunteer Center.

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

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