Roundup for Safety supports Wildtorium

The Flathead Electric Cooperative’s Roundup for Safety board of directors awarded $11,250 to support five community life safety projects. Wildtorium, a new interactive children’s museum in Kalispell, received $750 for personal protective equipment and first aid supplies. 

Wildtorium, formerly known as the Glacier Children’s Museum, is scheduled to open in early 2026 at The Bird’s Nest building on Financial Drive in Kalispell. The museum will offer developmentally appropriate, play-based learning experiences for children. 

Brittney Crest presented the funding request to the board and described Wildtorium’s STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) exhibit, which will allow children ages 3–12 to explore building, experimentation, problem-solving and sensory-rich activities. 

“Such experiences involve motion, tools, adhesives, and a variety of other materials, making PPE and first aid supplies essential to creating a safe environment for children, caregivers, volunteers, and staff,” Crest said. “Equipment such as child-sized safety goggles, face shields, aprons, and gloves allows children to participate fully while minimizing the risk of eye irritation, splashes, cuts, or contact with materials.” 

“These safety items are critical for a public space serving young children who learn through active exploration, and we appreciate the community’s support as we prepare to open this long-awaited space in Kalispell,” she added. 

The Roundup for Safety board of directors congratulated Wildtorium on its anticipated opening and recognized the in-kind contributions supporting the STEAM exhibit, along with the nonprofit’s community fundraising efforts and early membership sales. The board awarded $750 in seed funding to help the project safely cross the finish line. 

Community life safety grants were also awarded to Flathead County Search and Rescue, who received $3,000 for a line-throwing device. Christ Lutheran Church of Libby got $1,500 for an AE, Community Foundation for a Better Bigfork got $4,400 for sidewalk handrails and the Bigfork VFW will use $6,000 for parking lot safety improvements. 

Roundup for Safety funding comes from co-op members who choose to have their electric bills rounded up to the next dollar, with the extra change supporting local life safety projects. The program costs each member an average of about $6 per year, yet it has provided more than $5.5 million in community funding since 1997. 

    The Flathead Electric Co-op Roundup for Safety's December support goes to Wildtorium. (Photos courtesy Wildtorium)