Community Club donates $25,000 to local non-profits

West Shore News

Pocket books at West Shore and Flathead Valley non-profits will be a little thicker this month after the Lakeside Community Club dispersed roughly $25,000 in the community.

The club raises money through its annual community fair in July, which celebrated its 20th year this past summer.

Every dollar netted from the fair goes to benefit area organizations, said vice president Dody Sheremeta.

Organizations who received funds at a recent club meeting included:

-Abbie Shelter and Violence Free Crisis Line for the prevention of domestic abuse

-ALERT Helicopter with Northwest Healthcare

-CASA, court-appointed special advocates for children

-Flathead County Animal Control and Shelter

-Lakeside Quick Response Unit

-Rollins Volunteer Fire Department

-Retired Senior Volunteer Program

-Samaritan House

-Somers Lakeside School District No. 29

-Lakeside-Somers Volunteer Fire Department

-West Shore Food Bank

-West Shore Library

Local non-profits submit request letters to the club with how much money they would like and what they plan to use the sum for. The club's board and finance committee then allocates the money.

Over the past four years, the club has given away more than $120,000.

The women's service organization celebrated its 100th birthday in June.

The group of more than 130 women meet each month to plan community outreach.