LETTER: Thank you for Holidayfest support

This past Saturday, the sun came out,

along with community members, families and visitors, and decided to

shine on Holidayfest.

The day was upbeat, noisy and crowded.

It was busy, tasty, beautiful and heartwarming. Holidayfest was a

success due to the generosity of donors and bidders, the

participation of the vendors, the attendance of all, and the time

and energy contributed by the volunteers both before and during the

day.

Once again, 100 percent of the proceeds

from the auctions at Holidayfest and the cash donations will be

distributed though the Leap and Live grant process in February.

The PTA will announce the recipients in

the West Shore News and through school media.

In this week’s paper, please see the

list of all the businesses and individuals who contributed to

Holidayfest and remember to show them you appreciate their support

of our district’s schools and students.

Additional funds were creatively raised

for the sixth-grade science camp, fourth-grade village, middle

school art program, PTA’s hosting of Missoula Children’s Theatre,

the school district’s food service program and the field-trip fund,

as a well as funds to run the many projects that PTA offers through

the school year.

As a member of the PTA’s Holidayfest

committee, Saturday marked a gratifying finale to the last few

months of planning. Holidayfest would not exist without the

involvement of many volunteers.

After 14 years of Holidayfest, the

community sees a “well-oiled machine.” However, the core group of

the Holidayfest Committee knows that all could be altered if just

one person stepped away from their post.

I’d like to give special

acknowledgement to the Holidayfest Committee members who all

juggled many roles and pulled off a wonderful event.

Thank you to all who attended, donated,

shopped and volunteered.

Happy holidays!

— Tina Jo Lerum, Holidayfest

coordinator