Bozeman Elks Lodge #463

Matt Kelly, Gallatin City-County Health Officer

Calm in a Crisis

Hours before the first case of COVID-19 in Montana was announced, local officials gathered at the Gallatin County courthouse for a press conference.  Matt Kelley, Health Officer for the Gallatin City-County Health Department, spoke first. His job was to deliver a warning: The virus was coming.

“If this happens, we ask everyone in the community to respond with compassion, kindness and charity in their heart,” Kelley said.

Salvation Army Volunteers

Volunteers serving a free breakfast at the Salvation Army in Bozeman, Montana.

Community Volunteers

Volunteers serving a free breakfast at the HRDC Fork & Spoon in Bozeman, Montana.

Kathi Gregoire, Chaplain 

Gallatin County Sheriff's Office  

What I See...Read More

Kathy Gregoire provides ministry to crisis victims, department personnel and their families, both at scenes and after incidents, and at ceremonies and events. Kathi also provides death notifications, suicide intervention, and more.

 Tracy Echert

Hyalite Fire Department Volunteer

Morning Star Elementary School Teacher 

In Montana, 83.9 percent of departments are made up of volunteers.

Tracy Echert is one of those Volunteers as a member of the Hyalite Fire Department.

Tracy is also a teacher at Morning Star Elementary School.

The Veterans Alliance of Southwest Montana salutes Tracy Echert for organizing the Veterans Day Assembly at Morning Star Elementary School.

Gallatin County DUI Task Force
Law Enforcement DUI Awards Ceremony
April 10, 2019

THANK YOU for all you do to keep our roads, our friends, and our families safe!

Belgrade PD...Bozeman PD...Gallatin County Sheriff's Office...Manhattan PD...Montana HIghway Patrol...Montana State University PD...West Yellowstone PD



Officer Jesse Holton

Bozeman Police Department Annual Awards

Distinguished Service Award

On April 4, 2019, Officer Jesse Holton was recognized for his outstanding service and dedication to our community and department. And for his professionalism, work ethic, and conduct that are an example for all.

Galltin County 911 Dispatch Center

In 2018, Dispatchers at the Galltin County 911 Dispatch Center handled 174,031 9-1-1 Calls.  These Dispatchers provide a critical link between the community and public safety resources (police officers, deputies, fire departments and paramedics) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

 

 Jessica Millimen-Executive Director

The Rock Youth Center provides a safe place outside of school and home where kids are welcomed, loved, and encouraged to grow in every aspect of their lives.

The Staff is dedicated to serving each person that comes through The Rock’s doors. 

Gwen Fairbanks & Charlene Hilkemeier

A BIG THANKS goes to Gwen Fairbanks and Charlene Hilkemeier, Bozeman School District, for providing free grab-and-go lunches for kids at Hyalite Elementary School while Montana public schools remain closed to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Fatima Lucas 

Alleviating the Shortage of Medical Supplies 

 “We’re trying to get as many people to pitch in as we can. And we already have all kinds of people making this happen for our community,” Lucas said. “I believe that we can work from the heart and fight this together." 

Fatima is a former emergency room nurse who stepped up to coordinate volunteers, businesses and Bozeman Health to source materials, get masks made and ensure the final products meet the needs of health care providers.

Rob Tallon, Reach Inc.

For the last 35 years, Rob Tallon has been bridging the gap between the disabled and mainstream society – and with great success. He is retiring in June after leading Reach Inc. through exponential growth, in the services it provides, the resources it has within its reach and the clientele it serves.



Todd Garrison, Child Advocate 

In 2009, Todd Garrison led the launch and growth of the ChildWise Institute and served as its Executive Director. ChildWise Institute educational events have attracted audiences in Montana and from other states, including Washington, Idaho, South Dakota, Colorado, Wyoming, Oregon and California.  

Todd has devoted his life’s work to helping and healing children who have experienced serious Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in their young lives.  Todd is a Certified Adverse Childhood Experiences ACE Study Master Trainer and has trained literally thousands of individuals across Montana at various summits and learning seminars, including K-12 teachers and administrators as well as correctional officers working in Montana’s jails and prisons.

 

Andrea Stevenson, Chief Executive Officer

Gallatin Valley YMCA

Andrea works every day to grow YMCA programs that serve the community. In the past five years, she has re-built the Board of Directors, grown the budget from $150,000 to almost $1 million, begun a capital campaign and grown the YMCA staff from 1 to over 65.

The Gallatin Valley YMCA began in the spring of 2000 when a group of caring individuals realized there was a huge gap in the Gallatin Valley for families seeking out-of-school programs and affordable, healthy opportunities for young children.

Caden Shrauger

Bozeman's Shraugers gear up for largest blood drive in town.

Each year, Caden’s family hosts a blood drive, and he said when people donate blood once, they’re likely to do it again. Caden had the same feeling about the diving board at Bozeman’s trampoline park when he realized it wasn’t so scary.

Caden is a seven-year cancer survivor. He was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma at 3 and received 35 blood transfusions over four years. Friends hosted the first blood drive in Caden’s honor when he started treatment.

The Shrauger family has continued the tradition for the past seven years.  

David M. Young 
Professor & Community Resource Specialist

David M. Young is a Professor and Community Health Specialist at Montana State University and a member of the Community-Coalition On Drug Awareness.

In 2005, David joined the MSU Extension Service to develop a community health outreach program designed to provide information, education, resources, technical assistance and services to help create healthy, safe, thriving Montana communities. 

David also serves as a Volunteer Chaplain for local law enforcement and is actively involved in jail and prison ministry. He is a member of several national organizations, including: the American Correctional Chaplains Association, the American Correctional Association, the American Jail Association, the International Conference of Police Chaplains, and, the Rural Chaplains Association.

 Edward Szczypinski, Alcohol & Drug Prevention Coordinator

Edward Szczypinski has served our community as the Chairman of the Greater Gallatin Homeless Action Coalition, and member of the Community-Coalition On Drug Awareness, Gallatin County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, Gallatin County DUI Task Force, Gallatin County Mental Health Local Advisory Council - Advocate, Interagency, and Montana State University Substance Abuse Free Environmment Coalition. 

 Pris Gale, Child Advocate

Pris Gale has always always been an advocate for children as a foster parent and mother of 3 adopted children. During the past 12 years, Pris has put countless hours into making clothing and blankets for infants that were then  donated to Family Promise, Love INC. and most recently to Volunteers of America for a local veteran family.