Amazing fund-raising

Once again, Whitefish residents rose to the challenge and supported an important civic project.

As we reported last week, nearly $1 million has been raised to help fund reconstruction of the Central School auditorium into a state-of-the-art performing arts theater.

One anonymous individual is credited with donating $500,000. Within a relatively short period of time, fund-raisers easily passed the one-third mark toward their goal of $2.5 million.

This amazing fund-raising comes on the heels of an effort to raise $4 million for construction of a new health and sports facility in Whitefish. The Wave opened its doors this year.

Other important projects the city has supported in recent years include the Stumptown Ice Den and the Smith Youth Sports Complex.

Just concluding its fund-raising drive is the Whitefish Skateboard Association, which had received $210,000 of its $325,000 goal by mid-May. A new skateboard park will be under construction some time this summer.

All of this comes on top of the normal cost of living - rising property, construction and energy prices. Whitefish is also fortunate to have a resort tax to help offset costly city infrastructure projects.

But money isn't everything. Volunteerism is also important, whether it's joining the volunteer firefighters, coaching youth sports or reading books for our elderly and disabled neighbors. If you don't have the money, you might have the time.