COLUMBIA FALL, MT (December 10, 2013) -- Whitefish Credit Union’s Columbia Falls and Kalispell locations are teaming up with Northwest Montana Head Start, a nation-wide child development program serving low-income families, and the Salvation Army this month to make sure every child finds a gift under their Christmas tree.
Both locations have “holiday angel” tags available containing a child’s age, gender and items on their Christmas wish list. Montana’s largest credit union is encouraging everyone in the community to pick up a tag from one of their locations and help make a difference in a child’s life, said Beverly Lakes, Whitefish Credit Union’s head teller in Columbia Falls.
“I think this is a great program that makes a real difference in our community,” said Lakes. “To give little children a Christmas who might otherwise not have one, I mean, isn’t that what Christmas is all about?”
Head Start and the Salvation Army both request that those participating bring all gifts to the Whitefish Credit Union location they received their tag from on or before Dec. 20. The Salvation Army requests that gifts please be left unwrapped upon drop off. Gifts for Head Start may be dropped off wrapped or unwrapped.
“Not only is this a great way for folks to help out the children that otherwise wouldn’t have a gift for Christmas, but it can also be used as a tax deduction and they get to keep the top part of the angel tag as a reminder of their good deed,” said Jane Peters, Whitefish Credit Union’s vice president and branch manager in Kalispell.
The Head Start Angel Tree program has been helping underprivileged families with Christmas for more than 20 years. The organization strives to promote the well-being of pre-school aged children and their families, while preparing them for the future. Renee Funk is the executive director of NW MT Head Start. She said the amount of gifts is not important, but rather the difference they’ll make in a child’s life.
“When community businesses participate in programs such as this, they are supporting the future success of their community,” said Funk. “Many of the families are asking for basic essentials such as coats and clothing articles for their children; others are asking for education gifts that will enhance their children’s ability to learn. These all help young children to be ready to learn and be successful in school. Even a small gift to a young child can impact their ability to learn, grow and be successful.”
About Whitefish Credit Union
Whitefish Credit Union is a respected leader in the financial services industry. State chartered in 1934, it has gone on to become the largest credit union in Montana with more than $1 billion in assets. Today, the Whitefish Credit Union manages six branches throughout the state, which serve the financial cooperative’s more than 55,000 members.
About Head Start
Head Start is a non-profit agency utilizing available community resources to provide quality services that empower families and advocate for children. The Northwest Montana Head Start program focuses on strengthening the social, nutritional, emotional, physical, and educational well-being of the whole family.
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is committed to doing the most good for the most people in the most need. The nation’s largest faith-based charity, The Salvation Army serves 30 million people each year through a broad array of social services.