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2022 Donations

DeSmet School

DeSmet School was awarded with $2,000 to use towards flexible seating in their classrooms. Flexible seating provides students with choices, promotes physical health and improved behavior, sharpens thinking skills, improves a student’s commitment to learning, and more!

Foundation for Community Health

Foundation for Community Health received a $500 donation to support Missoula’s Talent on Ice, which is a family-friendly event featuring skating, comedy and musical performances. Funds raised at the event provide vital health education and support western Montanans with outreach, assistance and scholarship programs.

Pictured from left to right: Executive Director Kira Huck and Programs and Engagement Manager Kevi Berger

Learning with Meaning

ORU provided $2,000 to Learning with Meaning, which will help to fund a student’s full year at Aspire, which is a community-based learning environment, respectful of all individuals and learning styles.

Missoulian Snow Joke Half Marathon

The ORU Board provided the 44th annual Snow Joke Marathon with a check for $1,000. The marathon proceeds directly benefit Seeley Lake Elementary School’s Outdoor Adventure Club.

Potomac School

The $2,000 received by Potomac School will be used to assist with admission and transportation to Larch Outdoor School and Montana Outdoor Science Academy for Potomac’s sixth and seventh grade students.

Recycling Works

$3,350 was awarded to Recycling Works to assist with their Multi-Stream Recycling Project, which expands available services to recycle metal, paper, cardboard and plastics across Missoula and surrounding areas.

Pictured from left to right: Project Manager Rochelle Martin and Executive Director Ted Geilen

Sela Senci (Seeley Lake Senior Center)

Sela Senci received a $3,350 check to assist with the increased costs of supporting their Meals on Wheels delivery program. These funds will help to offset the costs of food items and expenses of the meal preparation and delivery team.

Town of Superior (Superior Rural Fire)

The Town of Superior received a $7,000 check to support the construction of a new rural fire station in the Tarkio area. Specifically, funds will help them connect and deliver power to a 48,000 gallon water storage tank to provide fire fighting water to the area.

Superior Fire Department Chief Scott Dodd

Quarter 3

Alpine Artisans

Alpine Artisans has a mission of promoting and preserving the arts in the Seeley, Swan and Blackfoot Valleys of Western Montana. The $500 received by Alpine Artisans will be used to support their programs, including 2 Valleys Stage, Open Book Club, Tour of the Arts, In the Footsteps of Norman Maclean Festival and the Youth Scholarship program.

Photo from Tour of the Arts, courtesy of the Seeley Swan Pathfinder

Garden City Ballet

Each year, the Garden City Ballet gives back to area children by sponsoring a free school matinee of The Nutcracker ballet for 500 K-5 students. In addition to the tickets, schools receive complimentary bus transportation to and from the show. The $1,000 received from ORU will help fund the 2022 school showing.

Pictured (left to right): Caroline Kurz, Administrative Director of GCB, and Jessica Blakely, GCB Board Member

Ovando Volunteer Fire Department

Ovando Volunteer Fire Department District covers c 150,500 acres and c. 18 miles of Highway 200 in North Powell County, responding to wildland fires, structure fires, vehicle wrecks, medical calls and others. The $15,000 funding provided by ORU will fund the Department’s own side-by-side fully equipped with a water and pump package, gear, radio, lights and other necessities. In the past, they have had to borrow local side-by-side UTVs from locals to help them navigate around difficult fires.

Pictured (left to right): Fred Valiton, Department and Board Member, Monte McNally, Fire Chief, and Duane Bauer, Department and Board Member.

Quarter 2

Seeley Lake Community Foundation

Seeley Lake Community Foundation was awarded with a check for $6,500 to assist with the purchase of a storage shed for the Seeley Lake Market. The Market supports local growers, artisans and service organizations by providing a venue to promote and market their goods and services.

Foundation for Community Health – Safe Kids Fair

A $500 check was presented to the Foundation for Community Health’s “Safe Kids Missoula Coalition” to help fund the Safe Kids Fair. The fair will feature over 30 health and safety activities and educational stations.

Pictured (left to right): Kevi Berger, Programs and Engagement Manager, and Kira Huck, Executive Director.

Civil Air Patrol

Civil Air Patrol magazine, Northern Skies Magazine, was gifted with $295 to help support the civil air patrol rescue services.

Tell Us Something

$1,000 was gifted to “Tell Us Something,” which is a live storytelling event based in Missoula. The event is hosted to inspire more understanding, acceptance and empathy within the community.

Missoula Urban Demonstration Project (MUD)

The ORU Board approved a $4,000 request from Missoula Urban Demonstration Project (MUD), which will be used to assist with staff wages, tool maintenance and site improvements. MUD offers programs focused on hands-on learning, resource sharing and community engagement, regardless of income.

Pictured (left to right): Casey Valencia, Executive Director, and Christian Russell, Tool Library Manager.

Quarter 1

Drummond Kiwanis

Drummond Kiwanis was approved for a $900 gold-level sponsorship for this summer’s PRCA Rodeo. The rodeo is a major fundraiser for the Club’s annual projects, like Bikes for Books.

Five Valley Flyers

$1,250 was gifted to Five Valley Flyers to assist with the promotion of aviation education to the youth of Montana. These funds will also provide a kit airplane for participants to have a hands-on learning experience.

Pictured: Ed Lovrien, Vice President of FVF

Frenchtown Adventure Club

The ORU Board approved a request for $2,500 to fund Frenchtown School District’s Adventure Club, which allows for all students to participate in after-school programs, by providing necessary equipment like ski boots and cross-country skis.

Pictured: Riley Devins, Frenchtown Intermediate Principal, and Frenchtown Senior.

Frenchtown Community Coalition

Frenchtown Community Coalition was chosen to receive a check totaling $5,250 to support their upcoming Frenchtown Youth Summit, which will provide the latest data and strategies to prevent substance abuse among the youth living in and around Missoula.

Frenchtown High School 2022 Steering Committee

To ensure a safe post-graduation environment for Frenchtown Seniors, ORU donated the requested $100 to Frenchtown High School’s Senior Graduation Party.

Frenchtown Science Palooza and Bronc Stampede 2022

The ORU Board donated $2,100 to Frenchtown’s Science Palooza and Bronc Stampede. Over 300 students attend the Science Palooza, which helps children explore potential careers in “STEAM” fields. The annual Bronc Stampede is an event that promotes wellness and healthy lifestyles.

Pictured: School Board Member, Jami Romney Fitzgerald, and Frenchtown Senior.

Grace Hospice of Missoula County

The ORU Board donated $2,500 to Grace Hospice which will help with the purchase of comfort medications that are essential for effective end-of-life symptom management.

Pictured: Terry Lee Jenks, Director of Development and Terry Mumma, Executive Director

Ovando Elementary School

The $2,240 donation received by Ovando Elementary School will help fund a Camp Paxson “Larch Outdoor Education” experience for 14 K-8 students.

The LifeGuard Group

The LifeGuard Group is an organization committed to the fight against human trafficking. The $4,500 received by the non-profit will be used for school scholarships, which help to fund the LifeLine School Assembly Program.