Kyle Patterson
Montana Rail Link
Employee
As I have done the last few years, I gave the gift card to ducks unlimited to be used at there event in March. Ducks unlimited is a non-profit organization that helps preserve the wet lands in Montana. Thank you for allowing me to donate to such a great cause.
Misty Larson
Washington Corporations
Employee
I donated my giving card to the Shriner's Hospital for Children (Transportation Fund). The funds will be used to help in the transportation of the families to the Shriner's Hospital.
Chris Beaulieu
Montana Rail Link
Employee
I was lucky to be drawn again this year for the Pay It Forward giving card and I had decided this year to help out animals. I stopped in at Help For Homeless Pets and talked to Ashley. HHP is a no kill non-profit organization and they take in all animals, get them their proper shots, spay or neuter them. After talking to Ashley a bit, I decided this was the place to donate my card to. I like what they are doing there. The cages are very big so the animals are not cramped at all, and the cages were kept clean. This donation will help them in many ways to make these animals more comfortable until they are adopted.
I would like to thank Dennis and Phyllis again for allowing me to make this donation to a worthy cause.
Johnna Eisenmann
Washington Corporations
Employee
I gave my card to the Knights of Columbus to use for their boots for kids program. My father, Daniel Conway was a Knight for over 60 years. The Knights look to serve our local community and my dad was very passionate about this program within their organization. He would shop year-end sales so he could purchase boots for as many kids as possible at Franklin and Lowell schools. This program is funded through donations and the Knights fund-raising efforts. When I inquired about the status of the boots program, they informed me that they were not able to fund this program this year. Approximate annual cost to fully fund is $1,500. This card will purchase one-third of the boots needed and I hope, create new energy for a program my dad loved and supported. Thank you.
Russell Young
Montana Rail Link
Employee
A young family in our community has a child with a medical condition that required extensive surgery.
They have been struggling to pay for these medical expenses.
We gave the card to them to help ease some of the burden.
Rich Miller
Montana Rail Link
Employee
I donated my Pay it Forward card to youth athletic programs in the local community.
Jon McLean
Montana Rail Link
Employee
My 2020 Pay it Forward card was donated to a non profit sports organization. The funds are used for equipment and fees to play at the highest level. Some of these kids will have an opportunity for athletic scholarships down the road. Without the help of sponsors and donations some of these kids couldn’t afford to continue with their passion for the game!
Kris Matter
Montana Rail Link
Employee
I wanted to “pay it forward” for multiple families. The first person I found was a woman named Tiffany with two young children, she was putting items back so I asked her if I could pay it forward. She accepted. I ran another female at Walmart whom I overheard talking about going to the food bank. She was purchasing formula and diapers instead of food for herself, so I offered to buy her items plus some. Finally, I bought a bunch of non perishable food items and donated them to the Lolo Community Center. Thank you for allowing me to experience putting joy in others lives.
Jay Raymond
Montana Resources
Employee
I chose to give the card to my niece who delivered her baby girl, Raegan, at 22 weeks weighing 1 pound and 3 ounces. She is only a few days old but is fighting hard to continue to live. She was born in a medical facility that is well known for being able to handle the treatment that she will need which is a blessing. The road ahead of them is a long one but we pray for her as well as her mom and dad so they will be up to the challenges ahead.
Gabriel Hill
Montana Rail Link
Employee
I decided to use my card to purchase underwear and socks for the Tumbleweed program. This organization helps homeless teens in the Billings area. People always donate food and clothes, but no one ever thinks about socks and underwear. These items have to be new for them to use them. Luckily I have a Sam's Club membership and was able to maximize my card and purchase several packs of each item for the program. Hopefully it will help.
Devin Clary
Montana Rail Link
Employee
Since December 28, 2016 the Joe Smietanka Memorial Scholarship at Helena College (University of Montana) has assisted students with felony convictions in meeting the cost of books, supplies, or tools necessary for an accredited degree or technical proficiency certificate.
While Helena College represents a great value, many students with prior felony convictions face an uphill climb meeting the myriad of expenses associated higher education. The Joe Smietanka Memorial Scholarship believes in recognizing and helping deserving individuals who have turned, or are turning, their lives around. We think any assistance now will later pay exponentially greater dividends to society.
501(c)3 Tax deductible donations can be made directly by mail to: The Helena College Foundation, POB 629, Helena MT 59624; or via PayPal at the Foundation’s website: helenacollegefoundation.org. In any instance, make your check payable, or include a notation that the funds are to be deposited, to The Joe Smietanka Memorial Scholarship Account.
Thank you for remembering Joe and changing the world, a little bit at a time.
Montana Rail Link
Employee
Last year i helped the Clinton community center start a youth archery program and used my Pay it forward card to buy 8 archery targets. This year I used the card to buy 2 more bows and some more arrows to replace the old and worn out bows that we had.
Seth Brow
Montana Resources
Employee
I donated the generous gift card to the Butte Outfitters. This program aims to help the youth of Butte by providing essentials (clothes, personal care items, etc). Children often are victims of circumstances. They don't always have the opportunity to provide basic essentials for themselves. I feel this program will benefit greatly from the generosity of Washington Corp as it is in its infancy.
Stevielynne Whetstone
Modern Machinery
Employee
I gave the giving card to a family that was in need of food for there home. There are so many people in this world that work hard and still need help providing for there family. I myself know what it is like to struggle to put food on the table. i was glad i could help.
Tammy Dailey
Modern Machinery
Employee
I contacted Stacey Rossmiller, Food Service Supervisor for Missoula Public Schools and asked which schools had the most unpaid lunches. She stated that there are many kids who cannot afford lunches but do not qualify for assistance. They are placed in the reduced lunches program but frequently fall behind. The 2 schools in most need at this time are Franklin and Russell Schools. I delivered the card to Stacey and she will take care of paying the most delinquent to current lunches for the reduced lunch category.
Eric Hassli
Montana Rail Link
Employee
Hi there,
Thank you for letting me be a part of that amazing cause!!!
My good friend in Las Vegas NV Royce Woodward have a 4 years old daughter who got diagnosed with a cancer about a year ago , after a year of fighting (lots of round of chemotherapy) she’s in remission!!!! (She’s still going through couple round of chemotherapy but she’s so strong!!! She’s our hero!!! Her beautiful a strong family is really thankful for that gift card!!!!! Thank you very much.
You can go checkout their Facebook page
Team izzy - the princess warrior, our hero!!!
Lisa Berumen
Montana Rail Link
Employee
Donated the entire card to an organization called BARK (Billings Animal Rescue Kare) They are a small, amazing non-kill animal shelter that is wonderful to their animals and finds them good homes. We got our rescue dog Sasha from there 9 years ago and I remember what an awesome organization they were and wanted to help them out with this pay it forward opportunity.
Gabriel Hill
Montana Rail Link
Employee
I chose to use my card to purchase socks and underwear for the Tumbleweed program. They help homeless teens in the Billings area. People always donate used clothes and food to the program, but people don't think about socks and underwear. These items have to be new or they can't take them. I was lucky enough to have a Sam's Club membership so I was able to maximize the $500 and get more product than I could at a regular store.
Lorna Pettigrew
Montana Rail Link
Employee
Prairie County Hospital in Terry Montana
The hospital is having a fund raiser and the money is going to be used to update residents rooms, sidewalk repair and much needed medical equipment for patient care.
Holden Knutson
Montana Rail Link
Employee
I chose to donate to Charity Water. They are a great charity helping with providing clean drinking water to third world countries. Diseases from dirty water kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war. The water helps keep kids in school, especially women because they don't have to go and collect it and have more time to do other things.
Thank you for the opportunity for me to donate to such a great cause.
John Moore
Montana Rail Link
Employee
There is an ice rink at Pineview Park, in Missoula, that is maintained lovingly and with serious commitment by a bunch of volunteers from the neighborhood. They have been doing this for 44 years, late nights and very early mornings making ice so they can count on their adult pick up games and so kids from all over can learn to skate, meet up with their friends and find the same joy they do playing hockey. This year they got a zamboni which should help maintaining the ice so much easier, and provide better ice for skating. They were $500 dollars short on their Go Fund Me page - Pineview Park Zamboni - so that is where we sent the money. We love skating at Pineview park, its one of those neighborhood privileges that we cant believe we get to benefit from. Walk to the park, pop on your skates, suffer through tying your kids skates and boom - best day ever. Thanks Pay it forward and Washington Companies.
Todd Burt
Montana Resources
Employee
I gave my card to the Bair family in Butte. Their son, Hayes Bair was diagnosed with Supraventicular Tachycardia at 11 weeks old during a visit to his physician. Supraventicular Tachycardia is an abnormal fast hearbeat and is common but Hayes didnt respond to the medication and had to be life flighted to Denver for more advanced treatment. He will continue a long battle with fighting this as he is still too young (11 months) for the medical procedures to help him fight this. His mom, Jordan Blair, was very thankful for the Payitforward donation to help them out as in May they are headed back to Denver for a procedure to help him.
Mary Knapp
Montana Rail Link
Employee
I gave my card to a young mother who had twins a few months ago. She had complications with her pregnancy and had to miss a lot of work, putting the family in a tough place.
Two weeks ago one of the twins got an infection and was unable to recover. He died in surgery.
This money will help pay for funeral costs and medical expenses. Thank you very much for helping this young family during this very difficult time.
Mary
Adam Cummings
Washington Corporations
Employee
I chose to give my card to the family of Ella Bennett. Ella has been diagnosed with FOXG1 Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that effects roughly 600 people in the world. FOXG1 Syndrome is caused by a mutation of the FOXG1 gene, which impacts brain development and function. This severe condition is characterized by seizures, inability to control body movements, gastrointestinal issues, and lack of speech. Ella will require lifelong medical care, adaptive equipment and therapies to manage her condition.
The family wishes to thank the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation for thinking of them and their sweet Ella
Amy Jaide
Modern Machinery
Employee
I brought my care to Franklin School - there is a lot of financial need there. Kids showing up with no supplies, no winter coats, etc. It can go a long way to help a lot of kids and families out!