Mentoring program help is appreciated

Editor,

During this past year, it has been my privilege to work within the community and with our local schools and their students.

This opportunity has been in the form of the In-school Mentoring Program run by Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Lake County and the Flathead Reservation.

As the Executive Director, I have witnessed the growth of this organization as well as the personal and emotional growth of the program's participants.

BB/BS is currently operating two program sites and is implementing a third site in Pablo. It is with great enthusiasm that I look forward to continuing the In-School Mentoring program at these sites as well as implementing summer programming in 2006.

This agency and its In-School Mentoring Program is funded by generous donations from community businesses, individuals and foundations. On behalf of BB/BS, I extend special thanks to the Ronan and Hot Springs schools; the in-school liaisons; the Coalition for Kids; the Lower Flathead Valley Community Foundation; the high school mentors; Wal-Mart; Bowl for Kids' Sake sponsors, team captains and bowlers; Hoop Fest sponsors and volunteers; as well as the staff and board of directors.

I also thank the Dept. of Education and the State of Montana for the generous pledges of support for 2005 and 2006 school years. BB/BS thanks the community and the In-School Mentoring participants. We look forward to continuing to increase our services to youth and provide new programming in the coming years.

Kevi L. Galarneau

Executive Director

Ronan