Volunteers bring holiday cheer

The hustle and bustle of the holiday spirit was alive and in full swing Tuesday morning at the Valley Bank in Thompson Falls as volunteers gathered to help take part in the Sheriff's Relief Fund. Nearly 25 volunteers including Sanders County Sheriff's officers, representatives from Avista, Montana Rail Link and Clark Fork Valley Elks (CFVE) assembled in line to put together Harvest Food tote bags full of items for Christmas dinner to be delivered to families around the county.

According to program director Theresa Milner, the Sheriff's Relief fund was able to bring a Christmas dinner to 136 families and toys to 369 children around the county. "Every child will be able to receive two presents this year," Milner said. "They will also get gloves, a hat and books. Somebody from Toys for Tots donated five boxes of books, so [we] can give each kid a book as well."

Chelle Mitchell with CFVE said it was a good turnout of volunteers as she was able to round up some last-minute friends and family to help with the endeavor. "The Elks gathered up a bunch of volunteers to help this year. I sent out a letter to nearly 300 Elk members," Mitchell said. "The Elks are going to be taking on a bigger role in helping the Sheriff's Relief Fund next year. It's a great program and Theresa does an amazing job directing it."

Sheriff Tom Rummel, a familiar face who helps pick up the Christmas dinner items in the morning from Harvest Foods, said he's been helping with the Sheriff's Relief Fund for the last 12 years. Volunteers loaded up their cars with the presents and Christmas dinner items and grabbed a turkey from Rummel as they were leaving.