Pay It Forward Stories 2024

I gave the card to Liberty Place, Inc. to use for fundraising efforts. Liberty Place is a not-for-profit corporation located in Whitehall, MT. It was founded in 1996 by four women who dreamed of a better life for people who were severely impaired by brain injury. They envisioned a place that would allow the individual to discover possibilities, to build on strengths rather than focusing on what was lost; a place that would encourage dignity of risk, purpose to life and life-long growth.

Their mission is to encourage individuals with brain injuries to reach their highest level of independence and to enhance the quality of their lives by giving them the freedom to try.

Education has always been an important part of raising our children. We have been so happy with the education they received here in Missoula. A group of the teachers that taught our children are starting a new college prep high school here in Missoula and I donated my giving card to them as they have so many needs at this time. I wish Clark Fork Prep High School the best of luck and was happy and humbled to be able to give them a little something for their start up.

I gave my card to the Mission Valley Food Pantry. The food pantry helps a lot of needy families in our area. They used the card to pay down their food bill at the local grocer.

Both of my daughters attend school in the Frenchtown School District and have since the beginning of their educational journey. They are currently a 6th grader and a 10th grader and I have enjoyed watching them and the school grow together. I have also watched a steady decline of funds being sent to the district through failed mill levies each year and the continued growth of student enrollment in the district, which is putting a strain on both necessary supplies and infrastructure upkeep. I was hoping that the school district would be able to use the money to help with supplies, repairs, maintenance, however they saw fit to use the funds and where it was needed the most. I only hope that they were able to utilize the funds from this to help in any small way possible and wish there was more that I could do to help them. I thank the Foundation for the opportunity to have been able to play a small part in something wonderful and thank you for your continued support of the community.

I was again honored this year to participate in the Pay It Forward program. I chose to donate the Pay It Forward card to a 3rd grade teacher at Butte Central Elementary School. This teacher, like a lot of other teachers, was finding that she was needing to reach into her own pockets to fund classroom activities for the children in her class. This gift allowed her to fund a science project for her kids that she would not have been able to do without it.

This year I decided to give my Pay It Forward card to Linderman Elementary School in my hometown of Polson. With this generous contribution, three teachers were able to again Pay It Forward to their students. One 4th grade teacher was able to buy book bins for her classroom library. This enabled her to level her books using the guided reading leveled system and organize them in a way that was more accessible to students, allowing them to easily choose books at their just right level. Another teacher was able to use the funds to help offset the cost of rewarding her students for completing their 40 BOOK CHALLENEGE. This is a lofty goal for nine and ten year old children, one that should not go unrecognized. Without this donation, the teacher would have been responsible for the funding the reward. Finally, the P.E. teacher was able to purchase new bouncy balls for her classes of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade students. She said, "These are a great addition for everyone". I was impressed that these teachers were able to all benefit from this generous gift.

I used my giving card to support Bitterroot Water Partnership (BWP) here in the Bitterroot valley in Hamilton, MT. I like to support local people doing good things in the community and help others help themselves. All along the Bitterroot River and it many tributaries the BWP is performing restoration on both public and private lands helping to maintain clean and resilient waterways for landowners and the public. This not only includes the waterway and immediate shore line but the surrounding drainage area and roads that are eroding into our waterways.

They have completed many projects through out the Bitterroot Valley. They also do youth and adult education. They have a dedicated staff and numerous volunteers performing these various and wide ranging restoration projects. Fresh clean water is a precision resource and we all must participate in protecting this most valuable resource and being responsible stewards of our environment.

John D'Antuono - Envirocon, Inc.

I choose to gift the money from the giving card to the Oregon Veterans home in The Dalles, Oregon. My dad stayed and passed away there last year. I reached out to the activity's coordinator there. They have just opened a Canteen, which lets the veterans that live there go in, and "shop" for items, except that the items are free to the vets. They have military themed hats, clothing, soda, candy, and basic heath care items for the residents to take.
My dad would have absolutely loved spending time in there looking at all the stuff and drinking a cup of coffee. All of the items in the Canteen are donated. So, I purchased $500 worth of apparel, patches, and stickers and delivered them.

I donated to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. This charity helps specifically with the families of special operations personnel and Medal of Honor recipients. These heroes are critical to the fabric of our nation and their families need all the help we can give. I am very thankful for their service and sacrifice to the nation.

We gave the card to a family friend, MRL employee and fellow Anaconda badass Tyler Verlanic.

Tyler was on an ice-fishing trip out at Fort Peck Lake when his thumb was literally ripped off after his glove got caught in the ice auger. Several miles from anywhere, he had to ride his four wheeler back to civilization and was soon flown to Seattle. After several surgeries and skin graphs in attempts to re-attach his thumb, more than a week went by until they realized it wasn't going to take and had to have his thumb completely amputated.

After spending a couple weeks in the hospital, missing work, with a wife and young kids at home and now missing a thumb, one can imagine how fast the bills pile up. So thank you to the DPW Foundation for continuing this program and spreading the good.

I ran into Tyler a few weeks back, he is healing well and in good spirits, as he always is!

Two thumbs up for Tyler!

For 2024 I presented the Montana Tech Mining Team with the Foundation giving card. Montana Tech had the opportunity to host the 46th international mining competition in Butte, Montana. The competition sees collegiate and alumni competitors around the world compete in traditional mining methods such as track stand, surveying, jackleg drilling, and gold panning. The team used the giving card to purchase additional PPE so competitors and spectators could all be safe while enjoying the competition.

Once again, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation for granting me the opportunity to take part in the Pay It Forward 2024 Campaign. This year, I am delighted to announce that I have chosen to direct my Pay It Forward gift card towards the Shadle Park Booster Club.

The Shadle Park Boosters represent a dedicated collective of parents, alumni, and educators who share a common vision: to raise funds, cultivate community, and nurture school spirit for the students and their diverse programs.

Their commitment knows no bounds as they tirelessly extend vital support to all facets of SPHS activities, ensuring their success. Through the coordination of fundraisers, rallies, and events, the Shadle Park Boosters play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between the school's limited budgets and the ambitious aspirations of its students and programs.

Remarkably, every penny raised by the Boosters is reinvested directly into the student body, benefiting various areas such as athletics, band, leadership, debate, drama, student groups, and the overall student experience. Their mission is clear: to eliminate financial barriers, ensuring that every student at SPHS can partake in unforgettable high school experiences.

In essence, the Shadle Park Boosters exemplify the spirit of generosity and community, and I am honored to support their invaluable efforts through the Pay It Forward initiative.

I chose to donate my $500 to my wife, Rachel, who is fundraising for the Five Valleys Out of the Darkness Walk, a community walk in Missoula that is held annually by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Montana has had one of the highest suicide rates in the country for decades now, ranking in the top 5 for suicide rate per capita for more than thirty years. In 2021, Montana had the second highest suicide rate in the country. In the nation, suicide has surpassed car accidents as the leading cause of injury-related death. Every suicide death leaves behind an average of six survivors who are left to grieve and navigate their new normal as a survivor of suicide loss.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is a nonprofit agency that uses donations generated by community walks to fund suicide prevention research; advocate for public policy, such as the creation of 988 suicide prevention lifeline; education and community programs, such as the Talk Saves Lives program that teaches how to ask questions if someone may be at risk of suicide; and support for survivors of suicide loss.

If you, or someone you know, is experience a suicidal crisis, you can call 988 to be connected to the suicide prevention lifeline. Or, you can text HOME to 741 741 to be connected to the crisis text line.

I know a family with two small children. I gave them the card to help with whatever they needed.

I decided to help a few organizations with my Pay it Forward funds. First, I donated to a local school through the Donors Choose webpage, which allows teachers to raise funds for classroom needs. This particular class is a PreK-2nd grade class for disabled individuals. The teacher was raising funds for a large dollhouse which will encourage students to interact with their peers and the adults can model appropriate interactions. After my donation, a few others donated, and I was informed the project was fully funded.
Second, I donated to Planned Parenthood. For 100 years, Planned Parenthood has promoted a commonsense approach to sexual and reproductive health and well-being, based on respect for each individual's right to make informed, independent decisions about health, sex, and family planning.
Third, I donated to Brady. Having a young child in public school, this cause is dear to me. Brady's unique, multi-pronged strategy is making a difference in the movement to prevent gun violence. The donation supports their work to change the laws, change the industry, and change the culture to end America's gun violence epidemic and create the safer country we all want and deserve.
Thank you, Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation for the opportunity to give to these deserving organizations.

I chose to pay it forward to the kindergarten students at West Elementary in Butte. The teachers used the money to buy alternative seating to focus on small group activities. These seats allow for differentiated learning and one on one time with the teacher. Students have been able to collaborate with each other and have enjoyed the use of their new classroom gift!

I went to our local hospital and put the $500 to an uninsured cancer patient's account.

I had a difficult time choosing just ONE individual or group to share this generous gift with and instead opted to divide throughout my community. I purchased 10 gift cards from a local grocery story ($50 each) and left them in random mailboxes throughout the neighborhood.

I may never know how each card was used but I hope this little act of kindness helped my neighbors and brightened someone's day.

Gave to a co-worker of Modern Machinery who recently retired. Her brother was diagnosed with a severe case of Parkinsons, which resulted in him having to take early retirement, along with her as well to be his primary caregiver.

I gave my card to the special education department at Florence-Carlton High School. The funds were used to purchase much needed education, learning, and speech tools for the students. I am confident these additions to the classroom will enhance the day-to-day experience for this great group of kids and teachers! Thank you, Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation, for this incredible opportunity to give back!

I gave my card to my elderly neighbor who has been struggling this year. She has been in and out of the hospital and I hope this gives her a little bit of relief.

I gave my Pay it Forward card to a family friend that just recently had her 6th surgery on her foot and prior to that had 3 hip surgeries and 2 revisions on that same leg. She was already on a fixed income and is now unable to supplement her income with work due to her foot and has been worried about how she will make ends meet. She now will be able to not worry about her next meal and be able to fully recover her foot before going back to work.

Thank you, Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation.

The Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation has done a wonderful job giving back to individuals and organizations of many communities. I want to say thank you for involving your employees in The Pay It Forward program.

With the Pay it Forward card I was able to purchase merchandise that was auctioned off at the Butte Cystic Fibrosis Fundraiser. The items auctioned off totaled $600 dollars with 100 percent of the proceeds going to cystic fibrosis research.

Below is a letter written to the Butte Cystic Fibrosis fundraising team from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation President:

As the holidays approach, I want to thank you for your unwavering commitment to our mission. This year, there has been much to celebrate and many reasons to be grateful. Not only did we achieve scientific advancements on behalf of people with cystic fibrosis - we were also able to gather together joyfully at CF Foundation events nationwide. Our collaboration with the CF community and bold commitment to innovation continue to drive exciting progress forward.
Today, people with CF are living longer than ever before. For the first time, the median life expectancy has reached 53 years. We expect that number will climb as we continue to treat people with CF with transformative medications in the years ahead, and as they have an opportunity to start these medications at earlier and earlier ages.
Meanwhile, we continue to advance our all-important Path to a Cure initiative to ensure every person with CF will have a therapy for the underlying cause of their disease, and ultimately a cure. This initiative has so far resulted in funding 35 major industry research programs with leading biotech and venture capital firms to bring the world's best science into CF, with several genetic-based therapies now moving into clinical trials. We also continue our work to study the effects of CFTR modulators, expand the number of people eligible for treatment (including younger children), and pursue the next generation of modulator therapies, with 11 different studies currently underway.
All that we are doing to develop transformative therapies for the future would mean little if we did not also have research and dedicated multidisciplinary care teams to support people with CF in the challenges they face today, so they can spend more time reaching life milestones and doing what they enjoy. We continue to fund both research to combat complications associated with CF, with a focus on infections and advanced lung disease, and the care teams at more than 130 CF centers nationwide.
The success of our efforts is enabled by exceptional leadership. This summer we formally welcomed Steven Rowe, MD - a leader in the international CF research community - as our new Chief Scientific Officer. We also welcomed our new Board Chair, KC White, who is the first person living with CF to lead the Board. KC will build on the remarkable legacy of our former Chair, Cam McLoud, whose dedication and service to our community has helped transform CF.
The future looks bright, but we are not done. Every person with CF deserves to fulfill their dreams.
With your continued support, I am confident that we will find a cure for CF.
Best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season with your loved ones.

Thank you,
Michael Boyle, MI
President and CEO

We decided to give the Pay it Forward gift card to a local family in need as their home burnt down and everything was lost. On February 14 around 7pm Spokane fire district 6 responded to a house fire in Spokane valley. The fire started in the front of the home due to an electrical issue and burnt 2/3rds of the home leaving the remaining part of the home a total loss due to poor smoke ventilation. The family who lost the home are related to good friends of ours. The family was able to get out with the clothes on their backs and nothing more. Unfortunately the 2 family dogs died in the fire but all family members living there got out. The Red Cross was able to assist them with housing needs and the Pay it Forward gift card was able to be used to replace clothing, children’s school supply needs, hygiene supplies, and groceries. The family is very thankful for the help this gift card brought them. Thank you.

I gave my Pay it Forward card to a 1st year teacher at a local school, they have a limited amount of library books and she was bringing used books from home for her students. She was able to buy 91 new books for the students. The teacher and the kids were very very thankful! Thank you so much for allowing us to pay it forward.