Agents donate funds to local organizations

Since 1993 Clearwater Montana Properties say they have been working to build their communities, and this year donated over $15,000 to local nonprofit groups in Sanders County. 20 different local organizations on the western side of the county, from Heron to Thompson Falls, received donations. According to Administrative Assistant Mandy Krueger with the Noxon Clearwater office, "I like to see the organizations all visit with each other." She spoke of the many organizations that were invited to attend a donation giveaway at the Lakeside in Trout Creek last Wednesday. Representatives were called up one at a time to shake hands with the agents that donated to them and were all part of a group picture at the end of the event.

The list of nonprofits to receive donations included The Foundation for Wildlife Management, Heron Volunteer Fire Department, Sanders Community Fellowship Group, Heron Senior Citizen Center, Heron Community Center, Noxon Community Park, Noxon Community Center, Noxon Rod and Gun Club, Noxon School PTO, Sanders County Community Development, Project ASCENT, Noxon VFW, Cabinet Ridge Riders, Rex Theater, Trout Creek Senior Citizens Center, TRACS, Trout Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Trout Creek Community Improvement Association, Sanders County Rocky Ridge Saddle Club and the Sanders County Coalition for Families.

According to CEO/Broker Kevin Wetherell, "Each year clearwater and our agents give a portion of each commission earned to an entity of the agent's choosing in the community in which it was earned." As of spring 2022, Clearwater has donated over $975,958 throughout Montana, Idaho, Washington and Wyoming.

Liz Stender with the Trout Creek Community Improvement Association (TCCIA), who received donations from the Clearwater event, said it was a huge help. Clearwater donated a paddle board to the annual TCCIA Redneck Ball and then gave the TCCIA a check at the donation giveaway last Wednesday. According to Stender, the money will be put towards finishing the pickle ball/basketball courts in the Trout Creek Park, which Stender explained the TCCIA hopes to have finished by spring. The courts were supposed to be finished last year but were set back because of fire season. "We're excited to finally get that in for people to enjoy over the summer," said Stender. For more information about the TCCIA and what they are doing for Trout Creek, they can be followed on Facebook under their organization name, or by calling Stender at (406) 531-2719. They also have a website, troutcreekcia.org.

Project ASCENT, out of Thompson Falls, plans to use the money they received to go towards their statewide camps, three of which they are still seeking funding for. "We are hoping to fund at least two more, so every little bit goes to them!" said Andrea Christensen, Project ASCENT Secretary. "Project ASCENT does a lot in the community. We host an outdoor fundraiser and host or participate in numerous free community events. We hope to continue to find ways to connect our community members and get them outside!" The organization also offers teenagers summer jobs including a new position for two youth interested in conservation field work with the Lower Clark Fork Watershed Group. More information about helping them can be found at their website projectascent.org.

The Cabinet Mountain VFW post 5556, located in Noxon, was excited to receive their donation and plan to use it in their scholarships fund. According to member Bob Abel, "Our post in particular does multiple scholarships." These scholarships go towards Noxon High school and are unique in that they can be used for regular college or even trade educational schools. The group also donates to the VFW National Home for Children, which helps provide opportunities to the children of veterans. More information about this group and the many other things they do for local veterans can be found by contacting the Noxon Senior Center at (406) 847-6000.

Clearwater Montana Properties has nearly 100 real estate advisors throughout the region, over 30 offices across Montana, Idaho and Washington and is Montana's largest real estate brokerage firm. "We are very grateful for the business that we receive from each of our valued clients that enables this support within our communities," added Wetherell.

Meanwhile, the Clearwater branch in Plains donated $3,811 to the Cancer Network of Sanders County(CNSC) recently. "When you live in a community as long as we have, you see the benefit of an amazing program such as the Cancer Network of Sanders County touching a friend or family member in need," said Clearwater agent Dawn Krebs. CNSC gives annual cash gifts to Sanders County residents who are currently undergoing treatment for cancer.

Agent Mary Halling with the Plains Clearwater office donated $627 to the local chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution. The Kuilix Chapter represents an area in NorthwestMontana from Polson to Thompson Falls. According to a press release from Clearwater Montana Properties, the name Kuilix comes from a Salish Pend d'Oreille woman from the 1800's and honors the area's Native American population. Locally, the chapter gives directly back to area students in the form of annual scholarships. As a member of the DAR, Halling and her daughter Kelli Baker can trace their ancestry back to two patriots who fought in the Revolutionary War. "The story of our country and understanding our heritage makes history real, something we can embrace and ought to share," Halling added.