2011 PASSION FOR POLSON EVENT WELL RECEIVED
The setting was straight out of Sunset Magazine: a long communal table for 110 set with colorful table decorations in the beautiful farm yard that has been in the same family for 101 years. Surrounded with pastures, hayfields, and views of Flathead Lake and the Mission Range, it was the perfect setting for La Vida Local (The Local Life), theme of the Greater Polson Community Foundation's (GPCF) third annual Passion for Polson Celebration.
Chip and Karen Vergeront hosted the event at their farm on Saturday, August 20; the sit-down dinner featured locally grown ingredients. Kristen Essig, chef at the Rocky Point Lodge, created the menu and prepared the food. Clint Vick, talented singer-songwriter who has recently returned to Montana after a successful musical career in Missouri, entertained.
GPCF president, Penny Jarecki reported that the foundation's endowment fund had been increased by $50,000 in the past year, thus qualifying for an incentive grant of $10,000 from the Montana Community Foundation. This award is a major portion of the grants allocated among nine non-profit groups in Polson in 2011 which were announced at the dinner.
Jarecki explained to attendees that the GPCF has also grown by assuming the new role as convener of community leaders who were asking the question, "Where will Polson be in the next 25 years?" The new arm of GPCF – Envision Polson!- is guided by a diverse Steering Committee that strives to gather and include as many local citizens and opinions as possible.
Announced at the event were GPCF's third cycle of awarded grants, going to nine non-profit organizations who best defined their ties to goals set by Envision Polson! They are:
- Loaves & Fish Food Pantry
- Community Gardens
- Carl A. Ross Memorial Foundation---Red Cross swim program
- Foster Grandparents Program
- Boys & Girls Club
- Miracle of America Museum
- Polson Flathead Historical Museum
- North Lake County Public Library
- Polson Community Development Agency
LOOKING BACK:
2010 PASSION FOR POLSON EVENT AT BIRD POINT
The Greater Polson Community Foundation recently marked its second year of grants in a "Passion for Polson" celebration held on Bird Point on Saturday, Aug. 21.
Thanks to the generosity of Jens and Jackie Gran, an estimated 100 people gathered on their lakeside lawn Saturday evening, Aug. 21, for the "Diamonds en L'Air", the theme that emphasized GPCF mission: Making Polson the Gem of Flathead Lake.
KC and the Valley Cats were joined by the musical duo of Megan Gran and Karla Gallatin.
Penny Jarecki, board president, announced recipients of grants totaling $11,175. Recipients of 2010 grants follow:
Family Matters/Coalition for Kids
Loaves and Fishes Pantry
Mission Mountain Enterprises
Big Arm Association
Carl A. Ross Foundation—2011 swim program
Miracle of America Museum
Foster Grandparents Program
CASA
Polson City Library
Jarecki challenged the attendees to raise enough that evening to take GPCF to a new level of $100,000 in assets. Generous commitments added $15,000 to the permanent endowment that evening.
Diane Grogan received a weekend getaway to Philipsburg's Gem Mountain through a raffle drawing held the same evening.
