In its 40th year of existence, Kalispell’s ALERT air ambulance is more appreciated than ever, if the money raised at its annual banquet is any indication.

At the ALERT Banquet on Saturday, proceeds dwarfed last year’s $70,000 intake.

Lori Alsbury, in community relations for Kalispell Regional Medical Center, said Thursday the money still is being counted up.

“You can say it’s definitely more than $100,000,” she said. “And we’re still counting.”

The Hawaiian-themed dinner sold hundreds of tickets for $300 a couple and had dozens of items auctioned off both silently and in a live auction, providing more money for ALERT.

This year’s banquet, the 37th version of the helicopter ambulance service’s biggest fundraiser, was held at the Flathead County Fairgrounds in the Trade Center Building.

Two of the founding members of ALERT were honored in memoriam at the event, and it just happened that the two were on the first-ever ALERT flight.

Ted Parod, the service’s first pilot, and Dr. Van Kirke Nelson, the first doctor, died in the last year and were honored together as true pioneers in medicine in Northwest Montana.

Lela Sistok, a longtime emergency care provider, was honored with the Clyde Smith Award.

The award is named after Clyde Smith, a logger and ALERT co-founder who literally helped ALERT off the ground by financing the first helicopter. The award is given to the person who most demonstrates a dedication to emergency medicine in Northwest Montana.  

Laurel Smart earned the Triple Divide Award, given to the outstanding ALERT crew member of the year.

Phoenix resident Mitch Klann was the featured speaker at the banquet. His life was saved by ALERT in 2012 when he fell into Avalanche Creek in Glacier National Park.