Pay it Forward Stories 2023

I chose to give my card to Missoula Youth Homes. I worked for this local non-profit in different capacities for years and witnessed firsthand the impact of the incredible work and support they provide our community.

I was able to give the card to a family member going through some struggles.

My Pay if Forward card was donated to Clinton School District #32. The card will be used to provide children with needed coats, shoes, school supplies, and paying for lunches. Due to the generosity of the Dennis & Phyllis Washington foundation I was able to help this small school district, thank you for all you do in our community.

I decided to give my card to a teacher out in Frenchtown. Mrs. Normand teaches enrichment classes to help students pursue learning in their own areas of interest. Thank you Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation for this opportunity to pay if forward.

A family that my wife works with recently had a sewer main back up and flood the basement of their house. At the time the woman who lived there was approximately 8 months pregnant. The sewage flooded their entire basement with several inches of filth causing extensive damage not only to their home but also damaging much of their personal property. This included the rooms of their two young girls. I gave this gift card to help them clean and replace damaged items as well as replace all the drywall and carpet hopefully in time to welcome their third child into a clean and happy home!

I gave it to a Pastor in Helena . He has a wife and 5 children . They are being evicted from their rental home on short notice and his wife slipped on ice and broke her leg. They have a lot on their plate so hopefully this card will help ease a little of the load. Thank you.

I donated the card to local Missoula boy scout troop 1911. The troop will use the funds to purchase much needed camping equipment for the boys that need it and cannot afford to buy (tents, cooking stoves, packs, etc.). This allows the boys to join in outdoor activities that otherwise would not have been able to.

I made a donation to Haven, a Bozeman, MT based non profit. Haven provides confidential support, legal advocacy, counseling, and a safe place to stay for anyone and everyone impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking, and stalking.

I have given this card to my sister in-law and her family. Her son Peyton was born in June of 2022 and since he was born has had a hard time gaining weight. The doctors have been watching it, however, anything they have tried to do was not working. Peyton went in to one of his doctors appointments and due to the amount of weight he lost coupled with the fact his oxygen levels were dropping, they made the decision to admit him into the hospital and insert a feeding tube as well as put him on oxygen. They tested for several viruses and discovered he had RSV as well as his eating issues. Unfortunately, he progressively kept getting worse and the decision was made to life flight him to Salt Lake City for additional medical treatment. Once in Salt Lake City, they reinstated his feeding tube and and have narrowed in on a few possible causes to what is going on with his weight. He spent days in ICU and may need a feeding tube until he is 6 years old. They finally came back with an official diagnosis which is Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus. Peyton is now home with his mom, dad, and sister. He will be on regular medications for the rest of his life and will have a strict diet and have to watch what he eats and drinks.

I gave the card to a family who has been working so hard just to make ends meet. A pipe burst in their house a few weeks ago when the weather was extremely cold and destroyed their entire kitchen including their pantry. They have been struggling after having to toss everything and have two small children to take care of. They were extremely thankful for this blessing. Thank you to the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation for making this donation and helping this family get back on their feet.

I gifted my giving card to Rock Creek Kennels. Beyond general boarding services, Michelle provides homing services for dogs that need temporary care while their families have residence challenges or have been displaced. As our four-legged friends are part of our families, the comfort in knowing they are being well cared for without the burden of high expenses is invaluable. I sincerely appreciate the thoughtful, caring, person that Michelle is and the assistance she provides.

I gave my card to Camp Promise/Club Promise, a ministry of Big Sky Bible Camp that serves people with disabilities. They provide the opportunity for these individuals to grow in faith while attending summer camp and monthly events in their local communities. They are an amazing group of people who help support individuals and their families.

I chose my good friend and bandmate Frank Wilson. In September of '21, Frank went to the hospital for a bad case of covid. After being on a ventilator, collapsed lungs and being on feeding tubes for 5 months, Frank was able to go home. The reason it turns out his battle with covid was so bad, was they had discovered he had myelofibrosis which is a type of blood cancer. He has since then had a successful bone marrow transplant and is going through vocal therapy.

Frank not only hasn't been able to work for the last year and a half, but he hasn't been able to sing either because of the treatment he had for covid. You see Frank is a very talented singer and musician as well who has been performing for years in our community. At one point, he was battling for his life but he also had the fear of not being able to sing again as well.

The financial burden and physical struggle is still going on but Frank has stayed positive and has trusted God in this journey. I am happy to say that he is hoping to return to work and just had his first practice with his band Kicking Karma.
Frank is a well deserved recipient and is very appreciative of this generous gift.
Thank you to the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation's Pay It Forward program!

Sincerely Thankful,
Frank and Bart

A neighbor of mine is a single mother raising 4 kids and lives in a old house that uses diesel fuel for her furnace and she ran out of fuel so she had all the kids living in the same room so she could use a electric heater so I used my card to purchase fuel and delivered it to her so they could have heat again. Thank you for the opportunity once again to help someone in need.

On Sunday, February 5th, my friend's daughter and her family were all moved into their new apartment. They left to get a few more things, and upon their return they found the place up in flames.

I gave my card to this family to help replace some things that they have lost.

I gave my card to Valicity's Once Upon a Time. They are a charity started after their daughter passed away from cancer. Each year they hold a princess ball to raise money. This year the money goes to the Sunshine Factory, which is a house that was built behind Logan Hospital so that cancer patients and their families have someplace to go and relax besides sitting in the hospital all day long.

This giving card was donated to Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelters Foster Program! I am the foster coordinator and we were able to purchase 8 snuggle safes and 5 cases of Royal Canin baby transitioning food. All of these products will be an amazing help to the hundreds of baby animals we will send out to foster in 2023! We also will be able to use snuggle safes for years to come so that is such an exciting purchase for our foster program. Thank you so much for supporting our program to help animals in need!

I gave the funds to Missoula Community Free Fridge, a mutual aid group in Missoula that sets up and maintains free 24 hour food pantries around Missoula.

I donated the card to the Humane Society of Western Montana. I've always donated to them considering my love for animals, dogs especially. I know then money goes to a good cause.

I chose to give my pay it forward to dog tag buddies. They help veterans and shelter dogs. Helping veterans get service dogs and all training is free for them.
Thank you.

My Giving Card went to the Helena Chapter of Ducks Unlimited, the same organization I always give it to. The Card was used to help with the annual banquet to help preserve the wet lands of Montana.

First of all I would like to say thank you for this opportunity. I gave my card to a young man that we see locally working several jobs and trying to get through school and pay the bills. He had run into a little tough luck with vehicle repairs and was struggling. It meant the world to him to get this gift.

Donated to Boulder School in Billings to pay for delinquent lunch accounts and the remainder went to the Angel fund to pay for any kids that can’t afford a hot lunch. It’s sad that our children can’t always have a hot meal!

The Andersons were blessed with a baby boy "Desmond" in early November. Desmond was born premature at 2lb 6oz. Was put on oxygen right away and observed for almost 2 months. They lived in Missoula during this time, having to travel back and forth to Butte their hometown. The Andersons were able to travel home with Desmond on Chrismas day. At 15 weeks old on Valentines Day he was up in weight and spirt at 8lbs 13oz. He is still on oxygen but will be off soon hopefully. They were very appreciative of this gift and it allowed them to stock up on household essentials and baby needs.

I gave my gift card to the Stevensville FFA chapter for their WLC fund. 12 members of the Stevensville FFA chapter have gotten the opportunity to attend WLC this year. WLC, or Washington Leadership Conference, is a leadership development opportunity held in Washington D.C. The students who attend will gain skills to help better their community and be leaders throughout the future.