Fundraising heats up for Hot Springs Clinic

HOT SPRINGS — The fundraising efforts of county and Hot Springs locals continue to produce positive results to reaching the goal of rebuilding the deteriorating clinic.

The fundraising event at Hot Springs Senior Center on Jan. 20 raised $432 for the Hot Springs Clinic Fund. With the efforts of Pampered Chef representative Sarah Cooper, R.N. and Joanette Joiner, who thought up and organized the fundraiser, there were many online orders as well as attendees.

“We had a really fun time,” Cooper said. “Joanette was really the mover and shaker of the party. She was the brains behind the whole operation.”

The Over the Top Spaghetti Feed and auction on Sunday, Jan. 29 raised over $5,500 for the clinic fund.

“It went very well,” Sharon Flesch said. “There were a little over 300 people there. A lot of people were from out of town and there were also a lot of our locals.”

Couple these fundraisers with that of various donations, Flesch stated that they basically are $10,000 closer to their goal. The re-building of the clinic is a $750,000 project. To secure the matching grant funding for the project, the board needs to raise close to $100,000 by the end of February.

When asked if she was confident in reaching the matching goal for the grant, Flesch said she is confident, “more and more so everyday.”

“So many people, groups and merchants have been so supportive,” Flesch said. “Places in Thompson Falls, Plains, Paradise, Polson, Ronan and Missoula have been so good about giving to the cause and to the people of this valley.”

Another upcoming fundraising event, the Gold and Silver Tea, will take place Sunday, Feb. 12 at 2 p.m. at the banquet hall of Symes Hotel in Hot Springs. Admission is either $5 or precious metals - be it jewelry, trays, or the like.