On June 12, Flathead Electric Cooperative’s Roundup for Safety program awarded $24,000 in grant funding to community safety projects proposed by nonprofit organizations, including the Flathead County Sheriff’s Posse.
The Posse, established in 1946, supports the Flathead County Sheriff’s Department by providing supplemental, auxiliary law enforcement services. Members include Auxiliary Officers, Reserve Deputies, and non-uniformed volunteers. Heather Kesteleyn presented the request for assistance in replacing the aging tile flooring in the Posse’s gym facility with high-quality rubber matting.
The Posse maintains and operates this facility, which serves as a training space for multiple local and regional law enforcement agencies. Kesteleyn told the Board that the current tile flooring is outdated, worn, and poses a safety hazard during physical training exercises, including defensive tactics, fitness assessments, and scenario-based drills. She noted that injuries have recently occurred because of the floor’s condition.
Kesteleyn stated, “Replacing the floor with durable rubber matting will significantly improve safety, reduce the risk of injury, create a more functional environment for intensive physical training, and will directly benefit the ongoing professional development and preparedness of officers from several jurisdictions who rely on this shared facility.”
The Roundup for Safety Board of Directors granted $8,000 for the rubber matting.
June grantees also include:
- Senior Mobile Home Repair – $10,000 – mobile home safety support
- Church of the Nazarene – $2,000 – stair repair
- Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation – $2,500 – InReach Devices, First Aid Supplies
- Love INC of South Lincoln County – $1,500 – hand trucks, furniture movers
Roundup for Safety funding comes from participating Flathead Electric Cooperative members who allow their monthly electric bills to be rounded up to the nearest dollar. The program costs each member about $6 per year and has provided over $5 million in funding since 1997. To learn more, please visit Roundup for Safety – Flathead Electric Cooperative.
Roundup for Safety is a voluntary program for Co-op members who round up their electric bills to the next dollar. This money is managed by an independent board and goes into a fund for community safety projects. If your nonprofit is interested in applying for community safety funds, visit our Roundup for Safety page or call the Roundup for Safety Board Liaison:
Dillon Tabish
Communications & Marketing Supervisor
