On September 14th, Helping Hands and Zero to Five Flathead Reservation – Lake County participated in First Interstate Bank’s Volunteer Day—an event that celebrates the collective contributions of local non profit organizations and the Polson First Interstate Bank staff’s “commitment to community” to make a difference in the places we call home.
5 wonderful volunteers Linda, Michelle, Liz, Naomi and Jenaya from FIB Polson branch came and put their organizational skills to work. They assembled 20 Backpacks for Bundles. These baby backpacks were purchased by our local Zero to Five initiative. These packs are a diaper bag that converts to a bassinet to be able to use a safe sleep option. These Backpacks for Bundles were thoughtfully filled with handmade baby blankets by Gayle Peterson and Joanne Blood; handmade hats by Bobbie Westphal, diapers, wipes, baby sleepers, binkys and brand new baby books from the CSKT Early Foundation Home Visiting Program. Each Backpack for Bundles, will be given to a Mom and their newborn to help ease any needs or challenges they may be experiencing.
After the Baby Backpacks were assembled, the volunteers moved on to filling 24 Blessing Bags. This Blessing Bag project addresses the needs of those people who are living in transition, experiencing homelessness and or hunger issues. The new backpacks donated by the Salvation Army were filled with a variety of non-perishable food and snacks, personal care items, hygiene items, a bottle of water, a hat and gloves, a fresh pair of socks, as well as a blanket. These are assembled to be able to immediately give to individuals and families who need a helping hand. It was a beautiful day and an uplifting experience to collectively work together for our communities that we love.
