Local attorney Ken Kalvig has been named Philanthropy Leader of the Year for his generosity and outstanding ministry to Immanuel Lutheran Communities.

A former member and immediate past president of the board of directors, Kalvig is a longtime supporter of Immanuel Lutheran Communities. Most recently, he chaired the committee organizing Immanuel Lutheran’s fall fundraising event, featuring a screening of the “Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me” documentary as a benefit for the Memory Care Garden at Buffalo Hill Terrace and to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

“Ken has devoted time and talent to serve selflessly in support of our mission,” Director of Mission Advancement Ronalee Skees said. “His dedicated efforts and leadership in the area of philanthropy have been notable and demonstrate a spirit of giving, which has sustained and improved life in our community. We thank him for his commitment and for making a difference.”

Immanuel Lutheran also is recognizing one of its supporting churches, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Columbia Falls, as Mission in Ministry Partner of the Year, for the outstanding work of its many volunteers over the years.

“The participation of numerous congregational members who serve us in a variety of different ways is unusual and significant,” Skees said. “They fill in volunteering in a number of areas and meet many of our needs ... whether it be visitation of their own resident members, lefse making, coffee-stand help, gardening in our courtyard, service as board members, help with our annual bazaar, creating items to sell at the bazaar or simply saying yes to any number of requests over the year.

“Our Savior’s Lutheran Church understands the importance of service, our need for their help and of our mission. We want to acknowledge and thank this group of valued volunteers as our Mission in Ministry Partner.”