Annual Fund-Raiser Sets New Record

The eighth annual “Passion for Polson Celebration” held Friday, August 5 at the home of Tim and Kelly Bagnell, generated $26,759, a new record for the Greater Polson Community Foundation.

The event also broke previous attendance records as 198 donors made reservations for the festive dinner-dance.  A live band, The Grateful Dads, traveled from the Sacramento area at their own expense and rolled back the clock by playing danceable rock and roll music.  Their lead singer, whose voice was amazingly similar to that of “The King,” Elvis Presley, delighted the crowd when he sang those familiar songs.

There was lively bidding for both the live and silent auction items which together generated $12,270, which also set a new record.

The 2017 “Passion for Polson Celebration” will be held Friday, August 4.

The 8th annual “Passion for Polson Celebration” will be held Friday, Aug. 5 on the park-like grounds surrounding the home of Drs. Tim and Kelly Bagnell on Rocky Point Road. Their beautiful home has an unobstructed view of the lake, the Swan Range, and on a clear day, the peaks of Glacier Park.

A special treat, and one in keeping with this year’s party theme, “Denim & Diamonds,” will be the opportunity to see examples of the popular performance quarter horses the Bagnells raise. Seeing mares with their foals will be sweet.

Recipients of the 2016 GPCF grants will be announced, and a delicious dinner will be catered by Caffe Firenze. There also will be a short list of interesting items for a live auction. The festive evening will be rounded out with music provided by the band, the Grateful Dads. The four members of this band, special friends of Polson, are traveling from the Sacramento area at their own expense to make our evening together especially fun. So wear your dancing shoes!

All “Passion for Polson Celebration” parties have been graciously hosted at the homes of donors who believe in the mission and possibilities of the Greater Polson Community Foundation. These events have been a big part of the GPCF’s foundation and growth. Since 2009, when grants were first awarded, donors have made it possible for GPCF to give over $420,000 to meet needs in our community.

Denver Holt has been around the world, more than a few times, and knows a thing or two about beautiful locations and natural attractions. He’s the director of the Owl Institute in Charlo and one of the world’s foremost experts on owls.
Holt was the guest of honor at this year’s Annual Passion For Polson Celebration, and he wasted no time sharing with his audience that the Mission Valley is unique, and it has a lot to draw one particular crowd: birders.

Holt’s talk brought the theme of the party, Go Wild for Polson, into sharp focus. He encouraged community members, and the leaders in attendance, to look into nature-based, sustainable tourism opportunities to contribute to a more vibrant year-round local economy.

Violinist Geoffrey Castle dazzled guests with lively melodies as the evening sun set on the lakefront home of Darrell and Sandi Cain. The event saw a record number of guests in attendance and raised $21,562.12 for the foundation.

“A great many people told me afterward that this event was the best one we have ever had,” said GPCF Penny Jarecki, praising the location, food, decor and presentation.

A live auction, which rounded out the evening with some animated bidding, earned $8,700, and was highlighted by the sale of two “Day With Denver” packages, each bringing in $2,800.

The 2015 Passion for Polson Celebration will be emphasizing a unique bragging point about life in our community. Featured guest Denver Holt of the Owl Institute in Charlo will be sharing stories that explain why we should all “Go Wild for Polson,” this year’s party theme.

A wonderful four-course dinner preceded by hors d’oeuvres will be catered by Caffe Firenze of Florence, Mont. The party will be held at the Darrell and Sandi Cain residence, 34870 Rocky Point Road, Polson, on Friday, Aug. 7, 2015.

Familiar friends as well as new faces gathered at the Greater Polson Community Foundation’s Sixth Annual Passion for Polson Celebration: Viva Polson!, on Saturday, Aug. 16.

Guests were treated to beautiful gardens and a sunset Mission Mountain backdrop at the home of Gary and Christine Pitts. The ambiance was warm with colorful decorations by Charlo’s Connie Plaissay, delicate guitar music by Whitefish’s Tim Torgerson, and a flavorful spread of Latin cuisine catered by Vista Linda, of Somers. Bigfork distillery, Whistling Andy, prepared a signature drink, Hibiscus Margaritas, especially for the event.

With its sixth year in the books, the foundation and its supporters certainly have plenty to celebrate and even more to look toward in the upcoming year. The foundation has grown its assets including permanent endowment funds, donor advised funds, scholarship funds, temporarily restricted funds, special project funds and working capital.

Thanks to two dedicated gifts, the foundation now has its own furnished office space, located on the lower level of the Salish building downtown.

Recently, a sizeable directed gift allowed the remodel of a small garden just east of Ducharme Park as a memorial to a dear friend of the donor. When the landscaping work was finished, another donor was inspired to cover the cost of the concrete curbing that replaced the battered railroad ties along the streets edging the garden. The work, done by two local businesses, did wonders to brighten up this very visible section of U.S. Hwy. 93 through town.

Perhaps a highlight of the evening was the unveiling of the foundation’s 2014 grant recipients. Altogether, $21,584 will be distributed among 10 qualifying local non-profits this year.

• The Dayton Proctor Park Association will receive $797 to insulate a park building for energy-efficient winter use.
• Polson Youth Soccer Association was granted $2,500 to help construct new soccer fields on newly acquired land.
• Mission Valley Aquatics will receive $2,500 to allow the children of financially challenged families to use the facilities.
• Polson Ski Club was granted $2,287.50, which will be used to give financial assistance to youth not otherwise able to participate in the ski program.
• Boys and Girls Club was granted $2,500 for a healthy eating/nutrition program for youth using local produce.
• Polson School District received $2,500 for upgrades to the high school auditorium, the only auditorium in Polson, which has not been improved for 40 years.
• Polson Loaves and Fishes was granted $2,000 for the purchase of a metal storage container.
• SAFE Harbor received a grant of $1,500 for video devices to help law enforcement officers provide evidence of domestic violence.
• Polson Fairgrounds was granted $2,500 to improve the concession stand, the commercial kitchen and storage facilities.
• The Flathead Lake International Cinemafest (FLIC) will receive $2,500 to support the third annual event that sparks our winter economy.

“You generous donors have allowed the foundation to give a total of $97,000 to our community since we first awarded grants in 2009,” said Penny Jarecki, GPCF Board President. “That’s $97,000 in six years. That’s commendable.”

The evening closed with a live auction of eight desirable items donated by individuals and businesses from the community.

Jarecki thanked the Polson High School student athletes who spent the evening tirelessly directing parking, serving dinner and clearing tables.

“You represent the bright and energetic kids we have in our community,” she said. “We hope you will remember what this event is all about. It’s about the importance of giving something back to your community. That’s why all of us are here. We know the satisfaction that comes from working for a worthy cause, and we hope you will continue to be involved in your community wherever it may be.”