This summer marks one year since Flathead Valley resident Emily Rea went missing in the Hungry Horse Reservoir on July 16.

A rally this weekend aims to provide updates and gather the community to help re-coordinate search efforts as a part of the search’s campaign, “Eyes for Emily.”  

The event is Saturday, May 31, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Whitefish United Methodist Church at 1150 Wisconsin Ave.  

The event expects speakers from Rea’s family and the community. There will be volunteer sign-ups for targeted action groups, flyer distributions, food trucks to facilitate community connection, a top-of-the-hour prayer and a photo reel of Rea.  

Volunteer teams include search coordination, media outreach, fundraising, drone/sonar review and legal advocacy.  

“Today, as her 34th birthday and Mother’s Day, holds an especially poignant place in my heart,” wrote Rea’s mother, Nina Rea, on a social media post on May 11. “Em and I have a rare and precious relationship. I’d love to think I can encourage you to embrace and love on your kiddos as much as you possibly can; those relationships can indeed be precious. It isn’t always someone else’s child.” 

The campaign is also advocating for federal assistance for the search effort.