Jim Roets, a volunteer with the Marion Fire District, took time to send off a hearty thank-you to the media and other community supporters for their promotion of the Smith Valley Walk-A-Mile.

The fundraiser took place July 31 at Legends Stadium where firefighters near and far showed up in force to raise money after an arson fire over the Fourth of July weekend destroyed the Smith Valley Fire Department’s Foy’s Lake Fire Station.

Donations were raised prior to the event where participants loaded themselves up with about 75 pounds of firefighting gear and then walked around the track for at least a mile.

“I want to express my sincerest thanks to all of you who helped make our Walk-A-Mile a complete success,” Roets said. “Without your interest in this story, we would not have been able to reach our stated fund goal of $20,000. We exceeded that number and we still have donations coming in.”

Smith Valley Fire Chief D.C. Haas accepted a grand total of nearly $25,000 from the Marion Fire District following the event, far exceeding the district’s initial goal.

“The community really stepped up for this,” Roets said, “and it did all of our hearts good to see the groundswell of support.”

“All of us in both the Marion and Smith Valley fire communities are humbled by the outpouring of support,” Roets said. “With these funds, Smith Valley will be able to obtain the gear they need to continue serving the people of their district.”

The fire destroyed a fire truck and several sets of gear and rescue equipment. It remains under investigation.

Ann Tucker, director of the Bigfork Food Bank, thanked the community for its generosity in helping construct a new food bank.

“In less than 17 months the beautiful Bigfork Food Bank was built and paid for!” Tucker wrote.

The organization received hundreds of donations from individuals, businesses, corporations, private and public foundations, churches and clubs.

“Even children’s parties!” Tucker added. “There is no adequate means to express our appreciation for this support, other than to say a very simple, sincere and heartfelt ‘Thank you.’”

“Once again — another fabulous summer of theater and music in the Flathead Valley,” Camille Carstens says in her recent letter.

“From the Glacier Symphony to the Big Band sounds of the Don Lawrence Orchestra, music in the [Depot] park with Smart Alex and other great groups, the Community Chorus, the Lions Club weekly concerts in Columbia Falls and many others!”

An enthusiastic music lover, Carstens also availed herself of the fine entertainment offered by the Bigfork Summer Playhouse and the Alpine Theatre Project this summer.

“What talent! What fun!” she exclaimed. “Thank you from so many happy and appreciative theatre goers!”

We can imagine that with such social fortitude and enthusiasm that Carstens possesses, she’ll be checking out all of next summer’s calendar of great live and local entertainment.

Community editor Carol Marino may be reached at 758-4440 or by email at community@dailyinterlake.com.