On March 14, Flathead Electric Co-op’s Roundup for Safety Board awarded $29,818 in grant funds supporting nine community safety projects. Memorably, young members of the Glacier View 4-H Club gave the Board an exciting overview of an Outdoor Survival Project they plan to participate in this summer. The 4H-ers will spend time in the Bob Marshall Wilderness treating noxious weeds while working on their wilderness survival skills. Part of the Outdoor Survival Project work will include water safety, as travel to the project area will be via boat. These two components require each participant to obtain a high-quality life vest. The group requested $900 in funding towards this $1,220 expense.
Glacier View 4-H members Kylee Oedekoven, Colton Oedekoven, and Madison Hall described their plans to the Roundup for Safety Board and answered questions. The Board noted with interest the many partnerships the 4H-ers have put together to support the project. A grant from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation funds the noxious weed treatment. The Cabinet Backcountry Horsemen provide space blankets, stock support, and cooks. K-L Outfitting is donating boats to get volunteers to the project area. Glacier Park International Airport contributed bear spray. The Flathead Conservation District offered digging trowels and gloves. Individual donors have stepped up to help, too. 4-H members and their families will cover most of their food and travel costs associated with the wilderness weed pull. Deena Shotzberger, an adult leader in the Club, discussed the passion she believes the project will instill in the 4H-ers for water safety, noxious weed control, wildlife and watershed conservation, and community service. The Roundup for Safety Board granted the group’s $900 request.
March grantees also include:
- Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp – AED and 1st Response Rescue Bag – $1,715
- Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation – bear-resistant panniers, axe safety – $1,650
- Libby Elementary Schools Parent Council – playground safety – $5,000
- Logan Health – bike helmets – $7,700
- Big Sky Bible Camp – AED – $1,500
- Columbia Falls School District 6 – equipment for sensory room – $4,575
- Flathead Food Bank – deadbolt, cameras, AED, first aid supplies – $2,700
- Flathead K9 Foundation – first aid supplies – $4,078
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:
