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The Washington Companies 'Pay It Forward Stories'

Envirocon

Thank you for assisting in our support of Calvary Ministry Orphanage in Jammu & Kashmir, India. The Columbia Gorge Christian Fellowship sends packages and financial aid to this Orphanage on a regular basis and we have chosen to use the $250 gift card in assisting in another package for the children of Calvary Ministry. Calvary Ministry is located in one of the most dangerous areas of India, only 4 miles from the Pakistan border, and in an area of constant dispute between Islamic and Hindu groups as well as the governments of India, Pakistan, and China. Almost every family in this region has felt the impact of numerous terrorist attacks and this is one of the key areas of service for Calvary Ministry. The orphanage takes children in it’s care regardless of ethnic or religious background even though it is a Christian ministry. The ministry also aids and supports a local Leper Colony, although none of the items in this package are expected to be used in that capacity. In deference to full-disclosure, at least some of the items in the package sent to this orphanage are also expected to be used by the new born child of one of the local staff members of the orphanage.

Name: Tim Drager
Branch: Portland
Cause: Calvary Ministry Orphanage

 

I was chosen this year to receive a donation gift card.It did not take long for my wife and I to choose a recipient, a close friend. She has not only been a close friend but instrumental in the success of a Denver Metro area organization called Whiz Kids tutoring. This organization pairs adult volunteers who tutor and mentor kids in the spirit of Christ. They provide extra literacy and math help to struggling students which subsequently improves self esteem. Whiz Kids hosts an annual year end celebration rodeo. My friend has used the gift card to purchase gift bags for the kids. Pictures of last years rodeo can be viewed on their website: www.whzkidstutoring.com.Thank you for the opportunity to be a involved in the welfare of the kids in our own community in fellowship with our close friend.

Name: Kevin Strahley
Branch: Golden, CO
Cause: Whiz Kids Tutoring

 

As a child, I was raised on a Montana farm/ranch. We (my brother, sister and myself) were coached and entrusted at an early age with care of our small coop of chickens, our modest flock of sheep, and sizable garden. From this daily experience we learned responsibility, small scale economics, the sustainability of animal husbandry and land stewardship. I recognize and support these values in Heifer International who similarly coach and supply the agrarian poor of the world. Heifer International has distributed gifts of sheep, rabbits, honeybees, pigs, llamas, water buffalo, chicks, ducks, goats, geese and trees as well as heifers and plants in more than 125 countries around the globe. Each gift perpetuates agro ecology and sustainability. The organization purchases animals in the country they are destined for. This puts money into the local economy, reduces transportation costs and promotes better health for the animals because they are already accustomed to the local climate, food and diseases. The recipient family's receives training in animal husbandry, sustainable agriculture techniques and business practices. Once its immediate needs have been met, a family is free to sell any excess at market. Heifer International provides a breeding animal along with the gift animal so that it can produce offspring. Participating families are required to "pass on the gift", that is: they must give at least one of the female offspring to a neighbor who has undergone training. In time, that neighbor will pass along one of the offspring of its animal, and so on.

Name: Loren Gunderson
Branch: Golden, CO
Cause: Heifer International

 

I have donated my $250 to the Humane Society of Missoula, MT. This is a non-profit organization with which I have a great interest in seeing succeed. I have always been a dog lover, and have seen the benefits of this organization towards unwanted animals, especially local animals. The ability to treat and adopt unwanted animals is a tremendous benefit to all of the other pet people in Missoula.

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest and most effective animal protection organization backed by 11 million Americans, or one in every 28. Established in 1954, The HSUS seeks a humane and sustainable world for all animals—a world that will also benefit people. We are America's mainstream force against cruelty, exploitation and neglect, as well as the most trusted voice extolling the human-animal bond.” Thank You for the chance to donate.

Name: Brian Vibbert
Branch: Missoula
Cause: Humane Society of the United States

 

My name is Troy Winkler and I work for Envirocon. I appreciate the opportunity to participate in the Pay it Forward program. My credit card was donated to a family that lives up the street from me. I have been going through cancer the last 3 years and so was my neighbor. We developed a bond because of our diseases but my neighbor was a super kid. He was a joy to be around even when he wasn't feeling well. He had Leukemia and had beat it but it came back. He went through a bone marrow transplant and defeated the disease again, but he got an infection and it took his young life. He was 13 years old. I wanted to give this money to his family because his mom and his stepdad had not been working through all of this. The hospital bills are high and I would like to give them any chance to help them catch up. Their son was a great kid and a hero to me. His strength and determination to beat cancer has been an inspiration to help me fight mine. Thank you again for giving me this chance to give back.

Name: Troy Winkler
Branch: Golden, CO
Cause: A family in need

 

This year I gave the card to a family in need. This family’s father also works for Envirocon and has been with them for almost 10 years and is my oldest Son. Even though he carries the insurance their cost is considerable every month. As of September 13, 2009, this family has two type one diabetic children.

Name: Conni Langton
Branch: Golden, CO
Cause: A Family in need

 

Hello, I would like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to participate in the Pay It Forward 2010 Program. I have chosen a non-profit organization by the name of Seekhaven Family Crisis and Resource Center in Moab, Utah to donate my gift card to. This organization provides shelter and resources to families in crisis and victim of violence, and offers preventative education for youth and community members. You can visit their website www.seekhaven.org for more information about this organization. When I visited Seekhaven to give them the gift card, I asked them what they are in the need of and the representative said that their grocery fund was very low and they would be using the gift card to purchase groceries for their shelter. This program has been an extremely positive experience for me, and made me think of what I can do to help out more in my community. Thank you again for your generosity.

Name: Heather White
Branch: Moab
Cause: Seekhaven Family Crisis and Resource Center

 

I was awarded a “Pay It Forward” card this year. I gave the money to the St Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, TN.

St Jude’s is a non-profit pediatric cancer and catastrophic disease research hospital. They offer care to any child who is accepted into their program regardless of the parent’s ability to pay. It is a wonderful charitable organization that helps out thousands of families each year. Thanks for this great opportunity!

Name: Nancy Schmidt
Branch: Missoula
Cause: St Jude Children's Hospital

 

I chose to give my gift card to the a family to help pay for medical bills related to their daughter’s multiple surgeries. The little girl (3 yrs old) was born with a condition call Craniosynostosis (premature fusion of bones of the skull) and is preparing for her 3rd skull surgery this month. She lives in St. George, UT with her parents, older sister, and younger brother.

Name: Joe Schauerhamer
Branch: Golden, CO
Cause: A Family

 

This year I decided to donate my Pay it Forward card to help our 4 legged friends. After researching several options I decided Animeals in Missoula was a good choice. Animeals is a non profit animal food bank that provides dog and cat food to animal rescue groups, humane societies, shelters and homebound / disabled households that could not otherwise afford to feed their pets. Animeals is the nation's largest animal food bank and serves an area of 50,000 square miles from the Canadian border to Dillon. Thanks Dennis and Phyllis

Name: Kurt Wieringa
Branch: Missoula
Cause: Animeals in Missoula

 

Kim and I gave the gift card to the Montana Food Bank. We have given to this charity for several years. Every $1 dollar provides enough food for 8 meals so the $250 will provide 2,000 meals. The Montana Food Bank provides food to children’s programs, families, and seniors in our community. People in need can do without many things but food is the most basic of necessities. We are glad we can help.

Name: Matt Fein
Branch: Missoula
Cause: Montana Food Bank

 

I’ll be giving the card to "AniMeals". AniMeals provides a much needed service to the community for cats and dogs. My husband was involved with this organization before he passed away. We have fed a lot of feral cats in our neighborhood and AniMeals supplied us with dry cat food sometimes. I try to support them when I can. Thanks again.

Name: Shsron Hahn
Branch: Missoula
Cause: AniMeals

 

To celebrate the "Pay It Forward Program" our family donated the gift card to a family in Salida, CO.

Their daughter, age 11 was diagnosed in February of 09 with Ewing's sarcoma which is a bone cancer that is usually found in the long bones of the body such as the leg or arm. With her case her cancer presented itself in the skull. Over the past year she has endured two craniotomies, biweekly chemotherapy treatments, and 33 rounds of Proton Beam radiation.

Anyone who has had a love one diagnosed and treated for cancer understands the emotional, mental, physical, and financial hardships that envelopes a family during this time. Lives are forever changed.

We were very grateful to present this family with a much needed financial boost that was provided by the Washington Foundation.

Name: John M. D'Antuono
Branch: Golden
Cause: A Family in Salida, CO.

 

There is a small "sister" elementary school here in Denver that our children and families support every year. We donated the money to a social worker that helped distribute the funds to 3 different families. You can see the description below, it sounds like the money was used well. I enjoyed being able to participate in this program and look for to another opportunity next year.

Name: Keith Kohlmeier
Branch: Golden
Cause: Three Families in Denver

 

I chose to give my gift card to the a family to help pay for medical bills related to their daughter’s multiple surgeries. Their 3 yrs old was born with a condition call Craniosynostosis (premature fusion of bones of the skull) and is preparing for her 3rd skull surgery this month. She lives in St. George, UT with her parents, older sister (5 yrs old), and younger brother (1 yr old).

Name: Joe Schauerhamer
Branch: Golden, CO
Cause: A family

 

I donated the $250 from the Pay It Forward Gift card to Best Friends Sanctuary, in southern Utah. This sanctuary takes in, cares for and places orphan, abused and abandoned pets. The two paragraphs below were taken from its web site http://www.bestfriends.org/. My wife Jo Anne and I selected this charity due to our love of animals and the sanctuary’s location close to my Aneth Gas Plant Decommissioning Project in southeast Utah for Envirocon. The animals come to the sanctuary from far and wide. But once they're here, we make sure that nothing bad will ever happen to them again. But there are also those who are the outcasts of society - unwanted, lame, too traumatized by past abuse, or too old, handicapped, or ill. For these lovable, innocent creatures, Best Friends is a unique home and haven. There's just nothing else like it anywhere.

Name: Charles Bird
Branch: Portland
Cause: Best Friends Sanctuary

Modern Machinery

I donated the card to my family veterinarian, Willakenzie Animal Clinic, because they have older and elderly clients that put off their pets care due to living on a fixed income. I know how much a pet's company means to a lonely senior. Dr. Duncan will pass the money through to a senior, whose pet is in the most urgent need of care.

Name: Samuel Reid
Branch: Eugene
Cause: Willakenzie Animal Clinic

 

As one of the many recipients of the generous gift card, I would like to thank the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation for the ongoing support of the employees, community, family, and friends. I have chosen a family member, my older brother and his wonderful wife to receive this gift of $250 for assistance with their mountain of medical bills, travel expenses and ongoing fight with his cancer battle. In the fall of 2009 my brother was diagnosed with colon cancer, after spending the summer with some digestive problems and heartburn. All of his initial tests were done in Reno, NV, and this is a 170 mile drive one way from his home in Winnemucca, NV. So with gas, hotels, and meals alone, things started adding up quickly. After further tests, he was sent to San Francisco, CA. for further testing only to discover lung and liver cancer. All of his chemo, radiation, infusions and injections have to be done in Reno, so after 6 months of travel and hospitals, tests and medications, Dr’s and nurses, experiments and frustrations, they deserve a break. Our family can not thank you enough for your kindness, generosity, caring and sharing, and knowing that it is the little things in life that matter the most.

Name: Thomas Moran
Branch: Missoula
Cause: My brother and his wife

 

For a husband and wife whom are proud parents of five kids. Their son is the definition of a fighter. He is a second degree, Kodokan black belt and retired Professional MMA fighter. He has served as an Army Ranger as well as a volunteer trainer for Oregon State Police and Clackamas Police Department in Defense Tactics. The husband now faces his biggest fight yet: cancer. Recent diagnosis of four tumors, two on his brain and two on his neck, caught his entire family by surprise. The family are great people, not only are they dealing with the heart breaking ordeal of cancer but as an MMA coach and defense tactics trainer all the husband has known his entire life is rough physical work and if in gods good graces he is able to beat the brain cancer he will still be left with the reality that he will never be able to work in the caliber that his profession requires. It was for all these reason and so many more that I simply handed my pay it forward card over to this family, in turn she used the card to Pay the deductible on the husband’s first brain surgery. My heart and prayers go out the family and I hope after reading this you might say a prayer as well.

Name: Mikel Ambrosius
Branch: Portland
Cause: A family

 

Thank you to the Washington Foundation again for sponsoring this program. The Watson Children’s Shelter in Missoula is an emergency shelter for children in crisis serving western Montana. They are building a second shelter as this need in our communities has exceeded their current capacity. I wanted to use the Pay It forward program to help that cause. When I called them to ask what they needed, they said they now had Wish Lists at Target, Shopko and Walmart. So I was able to pull up a list and help “decorate” some bedrooms for the children. It felt great knowing that I actually participated in a small way---to help them reach their goals.

Name: Jan Rach
Branch: Missoula
Cause: Watson Children’s Shelter

 

I decided to give my Pay It Forward gift card to Chi Alpha. Chi Alpha is a Christian Campus Ministry my daughter is involved with at the University of Montana. She is going on a mission’s trip with Chi Alpha this summer to Poland and Slovakia. On her trip she will be connecting with students in public schools, doing park ministry & street evangelism (using music and dramas), working on construction of a ministry center to help those with drug additions and life controlling issues, and speaking in church services on the weekends. My daughter is very excited about this once in a lifetime opportunity and I think it will be a great experience for her to touch the lives of others. I know that the money will be put to good use and help to change the lives of many. Thank you for the opportunity to Pay It Forward, I can't wait to see the great things that are going to become of it.

Name: Jeff Sept
Branch: Missoula
Cause: Chi Alpha Christian Camp Ministry

 

Many Thanks for the “Pay it Forward” donation! I choose to use my card to help my Dad. My Dad is someone Very near and dear to my heart. At 70 years old, he was this solid muscle man with years of construction under his belt and still going strong working with the maintenance dept at the U of M. An accident left him with a serious back injury … several months later a quadruple by-pass and most recently, diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. I cannot begin to describe how difficult it has been to watch this strong muscular man deteriorate before my eyes. He could no longer sit or stand without assistance. Walking was with great difficulty - It was with a heavy heart the day he called me to ask if I could mow his grass, or ask to be taken to the grocery store, etc etc. Stairs were also out of the question. My husband and I built him a ramp to his front door to help ease that pain, however, his bedroom being in the loft, he was now forced to sleep on a fold away twin bed. Thank goodness the right Dr was recommended and the treatment he received for his back and Parkinson’s has done wonders for him. He can stand and sit without any assistance and walking with a cane. You can clearly “Hear” that smile on the other end of the phone. He will never be pain free, but his quality of life has most definitely improved. With the stairs being an issue and his back the way it is, I choose to use my $250 gift card to get my Dad a much better twin size mattress. Both my Mom and Dad were so very grateful … thank you so much for allowing me to help that very special person in my life, my Dad.

Name: BJ Lange
Branch: Missoula
Cause: Father

 

It seems like every day when you turn on the news or read the paper, there is one disaster or another happening. Be it a devastating earthquake in Haiti, flooding in the northeast United States or even an apartment fire in your own neighborhood, the American Red Cross is always there helping those in need. I’ve always been impressed that even though they are not a government agency, relying entirely on donations of peoples time, money and blood that they are so dependable. That is why I chose them for my Pay-It-Forward recipients. Thank you very much.

Name: Amy Parenteau
Branch: Missoula
Cause: American Red Cross

 

Our gift card was given to the National MS Society. As a family living with Multiple Sclerosis, we have seen the advances that have been made for those that have to live with MS. We are annual supporters of the Walk MS fundraiser that is held in Billings. Hopefully, with contributions like this, they can find the cause of and a cure for Multiple Sclerosis. Thank You to the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation for allowing us to give this gift.

Name: Thor Loftsgaard
Branch: Billings
Cause: National MS Society

 

I presented the Pay It Forward gift card to the Executive Director of the Ronald McDonald House in Missoula. Contributions to non-profit organizations are down during these economic times. Per the Executive Director: “I will be using the card toward a purchase of technology to support the parents and their children who stay at the Ronald McDonald House, Missoula. Thanks so much.”

Name: Jacquie Katrein
Branch: Missoula
Cause: Ronald McDonald House

 

I just wanted to let you know that the “Pay It Forward” gift card went to a family in Spokane. They have 5 daughters, aging from 7 months to 10. Their 7 month old, was born at 21 weeks, and has been in the hospital since birth. The last information I received last week, is that they are hoping to bring her home this week. They have been hit with job issues, medical issues, family issues…. You name it. This family is so grateful for the blessing of the $250.00! Thank you for helping to make this miracle happen for this family.

Name: Curt Sainsbury
Branch: Spokane
Cause: A Family in Need

 

I contacted Watsons Children’s Shelter and they had just taken custody of a 13 year old boy who showed up with no clothes except for what he had on. I gave the card to the girls at the shelter and told them to spend it on the kid and whatever they needed. It felt good!

Name: Martin Kaldahl
Branch: Missoula
Cause: Watson’s Children’s Shelter

Montana Rail Link

I appreciate the opportunity to donate one of these gift cards to a charity of my choice. I just wanted to share where I donated the card to with you as well as express my thanks. I Chose the Montana Hope Project. This charity was started by the Association of Montana Highway Patrolmen in 1984. This was due to a strong desire of the Montana Troopers to give back to the communities that they served. My father was a Highway Patrolman when this project started and believed in what it was trying to do. Create a positive and rewarding impact both for the troopers, and the communities that they helped. The goal of the Hope Project is to make dreams come true for critically ill children in Montana. Much like the Make a Wish Foundation but only for terminal children in Montana. It raises money through fund-raisers, corporate donors, donations, and memorials. The average granted wish amounts to about $6000, and the most requested wish is a trip to Walt Disney World. Other wishes granted include Hawaii, seeing favorite sports teams, and computers. Once again I would like to express my thanks for the ability to Pay it Forward!

Name: Mark Turner
Branch: Laurel
Cause: Montana Hope Project

 

My pay it forward money went to purchase building supplies for a siding job on the South side of Billings. An organization called CLDI (Community Leadership Development Inc.) This particular House has two single moms, and their children living there. They are given an opportunity to get their life together while making lower than usual rent payments. Regular neighborhood bible studies are conducted weekly at the house, and many other neighborhood gatherings are done there. I am able to help with the siding project. When this is completed, a small deck and stairway will be installed to give access to the back yard, which is to be planted with grass. I appreciate the opportunity to help this grass-roots effort to help change lives.

Name: Dave Schuyler
Branch: Laurel
Cause: Community Leadership Development Inc

 

I donated my pay it forward card to a family of Montana Rail Link who are adopting 3 kids from Ethiopia this summer and I thought there’s no where better than this family to have my card. They can use the card for clothes, beds, or anything else these kids might need and I’m sure they’ll need a lot. So, I gave them my card and wish them the best of luck in this new and very challenging adventure.

Name: Tom Maurer
Branch: Missoula
Cause: A MRL Family

 

With all the job loss in the valley I felt that Ani-meals would greatly benefit from this gift. I would like to thank the Washington Foundation.

Name: Verlin Bonner
Branch: Missoula
Cause: Ani-meals

 

After much thought I decided to donate my card to the Interfaith Hospitality program in Billings, MT. It is a program supported by various churches in Billings. They house, feed and care for families who would normally end up in the family shelter. This program allows parents to gain employment while volunteers attend to the children in the day. The goal is to move them into their own housing with jobs so they can become viable members to the community. The entire family benefits from the donation. When I dropped off the card, the director of the program said the program was in need of funds to buy clothing for the children and they didn't have any available funds to cover those costs. They were very appreciative of the donation as the card would immediately fulfill that need. Thanks for the opportunity to participate in this worthwhile program.

Name: Bob Speare
Branch: Billings
Cause: Interfaith Hospitality Program

 

Thank you for the chance to donate to what we feel is a worthy cause through your pay it forward program. We chose to donate it to Camp Francis - children's bereavement services. Our grandson attended their program in 2009 after the loss of his Mother, Yvonne. The people at the camp have a way of reaching the children that is very special. We feel that this is a great program that helps children deal with their grief in a positive and unique way, and this is our small way of saying Thanks. We feel that it will benefit any child who attends Camp Francis.

Name: Scott Mattson
Branch: Great Falls
Cause: Camp Francis

 

Being blessed to receive a pay it forward card this year I have decide to give it to City Food, a Food Bank Ministry of Clark Fork City Church.

Name: Kevin Cook
Branch: Missoula
Cause: City Food

 

My name is Norm Smith I work MRL in Helena in the Roundhouse as a Hostler. I donated my card to our local Humane Society here in Deer Lodge. I chose this charity because it provides homes for lost and abandoned animals. Twice a year they provide free spay and neuter clinics. Thank you for this program for us your employees to give back to our communities.

Name: Norm Smith
Branch: Helena
Cause: Humane Society

 

Ginger gave her card to the Watsons Children center in Missoula, one of ouir family's favorite charities. Rob gave his card to the Rob Laird Fund, a local man who has gone through a kidney and pancreas transplant, has lost his job and has no health insurance, has had the surgery and it went well....Rob is a local man attended Hellgate High school and also play football for the U of Montana.

Name: Ginger Reimann and Rob Reimann
Branch: Missoula
Cause: Watsons Children

 

Thank you for allowing us to help those in need. We were able to clothe children from three family's that needed help. All together 7 children benefited from your kindness and we had a great time shopping for them especially when you find those great deals from clearance racks! We were able to really get a lot of clothes for them. Thank you again for allowing us to help others.

Name: Scott & Michelle Henman
Branch: Laurel
Cause: Family in Need

 

This is regarding the Pay it Forward 2010. My husband Jason Thomas works for Montana Rail Link in Livingston, MT. We had a wonderful time shopping for two great charities. Thank you so much for this opportunity.

We first chose to donate to the Stafford Animal Shelter in Livingston, at 3 Business Park Rd. We were able to get a list off of their website "Wish List". Their website is www.staffordanimalshelter.org From their wishlist we were able to purchase 4 folding chairs, 4 step stools, garbage cans, gloves, clothespins, and bandaids. And for the dogs we were able to purchase pig ears and treats, collars and food. It is really fun to shop for all of these needed items, and it felt wonderful when they were so greatful to receive it all. We use $200 of the $250 for this charity.

The next charity we chose was the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, at 5237 US Highway 89 S #1, also in Livingston. For this charity we were able to have alot of fun picking out crafty items and school supplies for the children in their program. We spent the remaining $50 for this charity.

A big thank you to the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation for giving us this great opportunity to give back to our community.

Name: Jason and Tianna Thomas
Branch: Livingston
Cause: Stafford Animal Shelter & Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch

 

I donated the 250 pay it forward money to a woman in order for her to pay for prescriptions and bills that are piling up. She was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma cancer in her right leg August of 2008 at the age of 29. Ewing’s is a rare cancer that appears mostly in children under the age of 18. She endured harsh chemo treatment 3 to 5 days a week spending 24 hours at a time in the hospital in Spokane. In the spring of 2009 her oncologist surgeon had to remove most of her femur and knee replacing the bone with metal account of the destruction of the bone caused by the cancer. After more radiation, chemo and pt Tiffani was considered in remission and able to walk with the aid of crutches. In October of 2009 she woke up from a nap with a sharp pain in her side and felt a lump. After x rays and a PET scan she found out that she had a tumor in her side, left leg and spots in her lungs. She was also given the horrible news that people coming out of remission so soon from Ewing Sarcoma have about a 5 percent chance of going back into remission. Ewing’s is a type of cancer that evolves its self to fight the chemo and radiation it is hit with. She is fully aware of her chances of survival but continues to be strong and is determined to beat this horrible disease. The 250 dollars will go to paying for prescription medications that are needed for pain management. While she does have Medicare insurance, with the amount of pain medication she is having to take to stay comfortable Medicare does not cover it all.

Thank you for the opportunity to make a difference in this woman’s life!

Name: Jim Hamill
Branch: Missoula
Cause: Person in Need

 

My name is Steve Camper. I work in dispatch for MRL. I donated my gift card to Animeals in Missoula. Animeals is an animal food bank and no kill adoption center. They help and save lost and helpless animals. They will use the gift card to buy pet food. I hope to get the opportunity to donate again in the future. Thank you.

Name: Steve Camper
Branch: Missoula
Cause: Animeals in Missoula

Montana Resources

It all started last summer when my Dad brought home a little black kitten that had been abandoned. This little kitten had a severely infected eye. Upon further inspection, we realized he did not even have an eye. We called a couple of veterinarians to get a price for surgery and were told around $500.00. We decided to call Pintler Pets. The lady told us to bring the kitten in immediately and they would take it to their veterinarian for medical treatment. I told them I would make a donation and adopt the kitten. After a couple of days, Pintler Pets called back and the kitten did have surgery for his missing eye and was doing well. Also, they asked if the veterinarian technician could adopt the kitten because she had fallen in love with him. We agreed and now he has a forever home. We will always be very grateful to Pintler Pets. Thank-you Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation for your "Pay It Forward" program.

Name: Raymond Carr
Branch: Butte
Cause: Pintler Pets

 

I chose to give my Pay It Forward card to the New Hope Pregnancy Support Center. It is a non profit group to help unwed mothers and young fathers. The money goes to purchasing dippers, formula (etc.). When an unwed mother finishes a program in the support group she earns points she can spend in their shop. They also do counseling. Counselors will help locate needed medical care, housing, adoption, or social services. This is my third year doing this program and hope that it isn't my last. There are a lot of people and organizations that can use any help, no matter how big or small.

Name: Ray Kramer
Branch: Butte
Cause: New Hope Pregnancy Support Center

 

Thank you very much for the $250.00 Pay It Forward card. The worthy cause I chose was a man who used to work with me at my previous job at Montana Tunnels Mining. He got laid off due to mining and milling suspensions in May of 2009. In addition to working at MTMI, he also leased and ran the historic RB Drive-In in Helena, MT. He continued to run the drive-in after being laid off. I have to add that he is also a single father of three young children. His accident occurred when he was cleaning out the oil from the previous days cooking, like he did every morning, by heating the oil to 300 degrees and then taking it outside to a container. A man who uses bio-fuel in his truck would come and pick up the surplus. On this day, he slipped while going outside, spilling the hot oil on himself. He suffered second and third degree burns to about 1/3 of his body. Additionally, he got the hot oil in his ear and ruptured his ear drum, leaving him deaf on one side. Another tragic part of this is that he wasn’t able to afford Cobra health insurance, so he is faced with a lot of medical bills. His family arranged a spaghetti dinner benefit on February 28th and I was able to give the gift card and my donation at that time.

Name: Mary Anne Antonioli
Branch: Butte
Cause: A friend

Washington Business Services

I thought long and hard on which charitable cause to give my pay it forward money to and one organization came to mind over and over, Disabled American Veterans. Our American Veterans have given so much for our freedom and country and they deserve to be treated with care and respect. We should never forget our hero’s. Thanks to our veterans and thanks to the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation for making such a contribution possible.

Name: Dean Skrivseth
Branch: Missoula
Cause: Disabled American Veterans

 

I called Scott Whaley, Asst Principal of Missoula’s Sentinel High School, to inquire if he was noticing an increase on the number of students requesting scholarships for their activity fees. He stated that these requests had really increased and with fees scheduled to increase next year, he expected requests to be at an all-time high. Scott works really hard so that no student is denied the opportunity to participate in various activities but he must ultimately fund it. This means he is approaching various groups and individuals for scholarship money. I gave the Pay It Forward money to the SHS activities fund so that students can participate in speech & debate, band, cheerleading, sports, etc. I also encourage everyone to call the high school your children attended and ask if they need help in this area. If you currently have a child attending school, please consider sponsoring a student when you pay your child’s activity fees. Everyone should be afforded an opportunity to be part of a team or group. Thank you again.

Name: Johnna Eisenmann
Branch: Missoula
Cause: SHS activities fund

 

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