Business Newsmakers

Kalispell VFW Post honored 

Kalispell VFW Post 2252 is being honored for its dedication to country and community in the national VFW #StillServing campaign that highlights veterans’ continued service after the military. 

VFW Post 2252 members donated $15,000 to a VFW Post in Mountain City, Tennessee that was impacted by Hurricane Helene. After hearing of the devastation in the aftermath of the storm, Post 2252 Commander Art Bielz called the Mountain City VFW Post Commander who told him about their efforts to support the community by delivering food and medicines to those impacted even as their own Post was flooded. Hearing that and learning about the confusion surrounding FEMA assistance, Bielz called a special meeting at which Post 2252 members voted to give financial assistance to their comrades in Tennessee. They presented the check on October 10. 

Bielz said members of his Post are #StillServing because the call to duty extends beyond military service, so it’s natural that they would come together to provide disaster relief to those in need. 

Big Brothers Big Sister awarded for growth 

Big Brothers Big Sisters NW Montana has been recognized as a Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) Growth Award Winner for program excellence in 2024.  

Every year, the BBBSA Nationwide Leadership Council, made up of local agency leaders and board members, selects agencies for excellence in the organization’s signature one-to-one youth mentoring program. Out of more than 230 agencies across the country, Big Brothers Big Sisters NW Montana is one of 40 organizations to receive this top honor.  

The Growth Award recognizes agencies that have demonstrated strategic growth in the number of mentors (“Bigs”) and youth (“Littles”) matched through the program, year over year. In the past year, Big Brothers Big Sisters NW Montana has served 122 youth and increased its local services in Kalispell and Missoula by 37% percent.  

“I am incredibly proud of our board and staff for their dedication to expanding mentorship opportunities for young people in northwest Montana,” said Daniell Kelly, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters NW Montana. “Their commitment to growing our matches ensures that even more children have access to life-changing relationships. This achievement reflects the power of mentorship and the impact we can create together in building a brighter future for our community.”  

Don ‘K’ donates to Flathead Sheriff’s Posse  

Don “K” and Subaru presented a check in the amount of $17,110 to the Flathead Sheriff’s Posse because of their being chosen by the employees at the dealership to become the 2024 hometown charity beneficiary of the recently completed Subaru Share the Love event.  

Subaru Share the Love is an annual giving program. The donations come from a portion of the sale price of every new Subaru sold or leased during the November through December campaign. In addition to the national campaign, Don “K” Subaru added $50 per Subaru sold or leased to the total contributed by Subaru.  

The Flathead Sheriff’s Posse is a 60-member, well-trained volunteer organization that serves the public by providing supplemental auxiliary law enforcement services, including event security, election monitoring, crime scene assistance, fire scene duties, assisting sworn deputies, helping in detention centers, and more as needed.  

Les Schwab donates tires to Flathead Youth Home 

The Flathead Youth Home was selected to receive new tires from Les Schwab’s Tires for Purpose program which donates new tires to nonprofits.  

The new tires were installed on a van which is used multiple times a day to transport kids to and from school, to appointments, and to activities. Having appropriate and reliable tires equipped to navigate the many changes in weather throughout the year is integral to keeping kids safe and connected to their community, according to the youth home.  

The Les Schwab Tires for Purpose program was developed to partner with organizations that are helping propel communities. More about the program at lesschwab.com/tiresforpurpose. 

Whiskey sale supports Glacier Institute  

 Glacier Distilling Company has released its first 12-year-old whiskey 100% distilled, aged and bottled in Montana.  The first bottle will be auctioned in support of the Glacier Institute at the nonprofits Lumberjack Ball on June 13.  

This single barrel release is bottled at cask strength and yielded only 198 bottles.   

The remaining bottles will be available for sale at Glacier Distilling’s tasting room in Coram starting.  Bidders interested in the first bottle but unable to attend the live auction can contact the distillery to leave an absentee bid.   

“This is a very exciting release and reminds us of how fortunate we are to distill whiskey in the most beautiful part of the world,” said Nicholas Lee of Glacier Distilling Company. “The great outdoors is what brought me to Montana and being able to support the Glacier Institute with their efforts to connect people with nature is a great privilege. You will taste Montana in every sip of this whiskey — and that is the most authentic tasting note I can give.” 

Student honored for service  

Flathead Electric Cooperative’s Board of Trustees and Roundup for Safety’s Board of Directors awarded a $2,000 scholarship to Kaylee Hampton in recognition of her service as Roundup’s Youth Director.  

Hampton served in this non-voting role for two years. Upon joining Roundup for Safety in October 2023, she quickly emerged as an influential and trusted voice for the nine-member Board. 

Hampton, the daughter of Robert and Amanda Hampton of Kalispell, graduates from Flathead High School with honors. She is a member of the National Honors Society, Business Professionals of America, and Flathead High School National’s Speech & Debate Team. Prior to her Roundup for Safety involvement, Hampton was chosen to represent Flathead Electric Cooperative as a 2023 Youth Tour participant to Washington, D.C. 

Gorilla Cup raises funds for travel scholarships  

Straight Blast Gym’s biannual Gorilla Cup Jiu Jitsu Tournament returned with energy and enthusiasm bringing together over 200 competitors from SBG’s five Montana locations. 

Gorilla Cup XXIII raised more than $13,000 for the Gorilla Booster Club, a local nonprofit. 

Run entirely by volunteers, the Gorilla Cup has grown exponentially since its inception. The event helps fund travel and competition opportunities for SBG Montana’s Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Competition Team. Since 2012, the GBC has been committed to “leveling the playing field” for athletes across the state — helping offset costs like registration fees and travel expenses to top-tier tournaments in states such as Idaho, California, Nevada, Washington, and Oregon. 

More than just a tournament, the Gorilla Cup reflects the core values of the Jiu Jitsu lifestyle. Through rigorous training and the shared experience of competition, athletes of all ages gain confidence, discipline, and perspective, according to a release.  

First Interstate Bank opens new branch 

First Interstate Bank has opened a new branch in Columbia Falls, located at 1947 9th Street West. 

“This is an exciting milestone for our company as we establish our first branch in Columbia Falls,” said Brenden Craig, First Interstate Bank’s Flathead Market President. “This new branch marks our commitment to the communities we serve and our dedication to providing our Columbia Falls clients with personalized, convenient service.” 

 A ribbon cutting ceremony was held, with several members of executive leadership, including President and CEO Jim Reuter.  

To celebrate this opening, First Interstate donated $10,000 to Land to Hand, a grassroots community organization founded by local farmers and food system planners. Land to Hand carries a mission of building a strong community food system that fosters socially just ways of accessing food. 

The Columbia Falls branch will be led by Branch Manager Demari Walter and supported by a full-service banking team of Glenn Morden (Financial Services Representative), Madi Kesterson (Financial Services Representative), and Linda Weber (Teller).