CHARITIES // PureWest Gives Back

PUREWEST

GIVES BACK

t PureWest, we believe in relationships for life. This extends beyond our agents and their clients: we also strive to build strong relationships between our A company and the communities we serve. We’re personally invested in making the places we live and work the best that they can be and are proud to give our time, money, and talents to the many nonprofits doing great work in Montana. There are so many wonderful organizations that work tirelessly to improve the places we call home and the lives of our fellow Montanans.

Here are four that we would like to recognize this year:

Nate Chute Foundation

The Nate Chute Foundation works to reduce suicide in western Montana. Founded after the suicide death of 18-year-old Nate Chute of Whitefish in 1999, the foundation offers education, outreach, and training to schools and organizations to help them identify suicidal behavior and build resiliency among their students and community. It also provides financial assistance for people at risk of suicide who are seeking professional counseling. PureWest participated in the 2021 Festival of Trees, which raised over $25,000 for the foundation, as well as the Flathead Valley Out of the Darkness walk, supporting the Montana chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Arlee Rehabilitation Center

This new nonprofit is serving the Flathead Indian Reservation with its mission to provide a sanctuary where animals heal people and people heal animals. Their work began with 2021’s Pawsitively Healing Camp, helping at-risk kids build social and emotional resilience while they connected with dogs, horses, and raptors in a variety of guided activities. In addition to this program, the organization holds spay and neuter clinics and has a grassroots program called Paws on the Ground that offers intervention and support to low-income community members who are struggling to care for their pets. PureWest agents attended the nonprofit’s first annual gala and contributed to the silent auction.

Big Sky Community Housing Trust

Like many resort communities, affordable housing is a pressing issue in Big Sky. The Big Sky Community Housing Trust is actively working on solutions: since becoming an independent nonprofit in 2020, they have helped 174 local residents find homes to purchase or rent, incentivized 37 owners to use their properties as long term rentals, and sponsored a 52-unit affordable home development. Their innovative work is creating a model that other resort communities across the state can study and implement. PureWest helped facilitate the land sale for the affordable housing development.

Big Sky Senior Services

In Billings, Big Sky Senior Services helps older adults maintain their independence and quality of life; they believe that anyone who is able deserves the right to live in their home. The organization facilitates that goal by providing a wide variety of services that enable individuals to do so, regardless of their ability to pay. This includes help with personal care, household chores, pet care, transportation, companionship, nursing services, money management, caretaker support, and case management.