Among other things: "They call her 'Grandma'"

Nancy Hausermann first started organizing special projects for folks where she lived in Arkansas and Missouri 27 years ago when families were devastated when area mines were closed resulting in extensive areas of poverty and unemployment. While delivering Christmas toys and food baskets for miners’ families, an incident occurred that she says, was “a life-changing event for me.”

Many families lived in virtual shacks with dirt floors, no running water or electricity, no indoor plumbing. At one home she knocked on the door and answering was a small girl – barefoot, wearing a thin, dirty dress, and it was obvious that the girl and other family members did not have much food.

Nancy increased her efforts to help those families with activities as well as care packages. For the next nine years she worked in Arkansas and Missouri to bring encouragement as well as food, games and projects in those areas.

Then 16 years ago, she came to Polson. Living conditions were better, but there were still areas of need. Concentrating mainly on children between the ages of nine and 13, she and volunteers of parents, friends, businesses, and kids themselves, organized various family events. Soon the kids started to call her “Grandma” – and for good reason.

For instance, among other things she has arranged kids’ rides in airplanes, a helicopter, carnivals, and in the Happy Hippo; sponsored kids’ games at Rotary events, the Cherry Festival, car shows, benefits for Coalition for Kids; attendance at theatrical presentations of The Nutcracker and Hairspray; parties for Valentine’s Day, Christmas, and Halloween. The latter included an elaborate Haunted House.

There have been pizza and movie nights; dinner and swimming at KwaTaqNuk, a block party at Journey B Church, after-school events and a game room at the church; camping trips to Lake Mary Ronan and even “sleepovers” where kids camp out in the yard at her home on Big Sky Lane. All events are chaperoned.

Of course, a lot of volunteers and prize donors are needed as are providers of various services. Nancy often provides her own cash for such things as candies for Easter baskets, which are increasing in number each year.

The youngsters themselves provide a good share of preparing for events and the cleanup afterward.

A charge is made for only a few events and all money received goes to purchase prizes. Nancy goes to various yard sales and buys or is given items for prizes. She retains no money for herself.

Nancy admits she’s getting older and more tired. She says this probably will be the last year she’ll be able to maintain the efforts required of her. She appreciates the cooperation of various businesses, organizations, officials, parents, and kids in the Polson and Ronan areas.

However, she is organizing one more big event to be held Saturday, June 8, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Polson Fairgrounds – including a carnival sponsored by Polson Walmart and Nancy’s Kids. She promises games galore from 10 a.m. to 3:30, a dunking booth, jump house, train rides and more.

Live entertainment is scheduled from 4 to 7 p.m. featuring the Port Polson Players and Black Paw Music of Polson and music by the Boomer Boys, Boomer Babes, Neal Lewing, the Montana Shamrockers and others.

There will be hot dogs, chips and drink available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and then a big barbecue featuring hamburgers, potato salad and baked beans from 4 to 7 p.m.

If you would be willing to volunteer to help with Nancy’s Kids projects, please call Nancy Hausermann at 871-9784.