C-Falls resident Morrison living the DREAM

Naomi Morrison thinks she has found the perfect job.

A Columbia Falls resident, Morrison recently took over as the first-ever Director of Development for DREAM Adaptive, a Whitefish based non-profit organization that provides skiing and outdoor recreation activities for the disabled and veterans.

“I love what DREAM does. I’ve always been a huge fan of what they do and I am excited to be working with them,” Morrison said about her new job.

Born and raised in Connecticut, Morrison earned a journalism degree from Southern Connecticut State before moving to Montana with her husband, Arnold. Morrison worked with an international trade and recycling company while in New England, but thanks to her friend Susan Geer, she spent much of her free time volunteering as a cross country ski coach for a local Special Olympics team. She said that experience helped motivate her to apply where she saw the opening at DREAM Adaptive.

“I had so much fun with that Special Olympic group. I just loved it. It was one of the most rewarding volunteer experiences I have ever had,” she said. “When I saw the DREAM position was available, I jumped on it. I really wanted to get involved. They are wonderful, wonderful people and I am excited about diving in and helping them grow.”

In her new position, Morrison will focus on bringing in more local funding to help the organization become less reliant on grants.

“I really want to cultivate and build annual givers, not just someone who gives a large sum of money, but someone who will help with our funding on a regular basis,” she said.

After working for the Daily Inter Lake, North Valley Hospital and the Glacier National Park Conservancy, Morrison feels she is now in the right place.

“I am really appreciative for having this opportunity. I love where I have been and I am so grateful for the mentors I have had in this valley and I feel like this is exactly where I need to be,” she said. “This is home now.”