Cheers for volunteers

Don Bestwick, born and raised in Alberton, paid for his college education by jumping out of airplanes. While earning a degree in physical education from the University of Montana and a degree in physical therapy from the University of Washington, he spent five summers as a smoke jumper, making jumps on 48 fires.

His first 10 years as a therapist were spent in Spokane, during which time he married Darlene, whom he had met in college at Missoula. In 1988, seeking a small town in which to raise their family, they visited Whitefish, and after seeing the sense of community that prevailed, “it took about 15 seconds” for them to decide this is where they wanted to live.

Their two sons, Andy and Mike, graduated from the Whitefish school system and are enrolled at Montana State University. The family makes maximum use of the local amenities; however, Don downplays his golfing ability, saying, “I go to the course about 10 times a year, mainly to provide comic relief to the other golfers.”

Don volunteers in diverse ways — he has made three health care trips to Ecuador, and he umpires local baseball games. He spends countless hours managing the Heidi and Rollie Smith Sports Complex, where he coordinates the use of the fields, raises money for operation and helps with the maintenance.

He emphasizes that the complex was built and is maintained solely by volunteers, and that he’s just one cog in the big wheel that keeps it going. Co-workers, however, laud his efforts in finding volunteers, bringing them together, coordinating their activities and creating a well-run organization. They add that he personally, with “shovel and wheelbarrow,” rebuilds the infield, the base lines, the pitcher’s mound, etc., to the point that Whitefish “has the smoothest playing field in the state.”

Don, you have contributed generously to that “sense of community” that initially attracted you, and your efforts are greatly appreciated.

— Jake Heckathorn

This column is dedicated to those who give freely of their time and energy to worthwhile community projects, but whose efforts often go unnoticed. If you know such a person, please e-mail jheckathorn@centurytel.net.