Businesses key for local fund-raisers

Anyone who operates a business in Bigfork knows there are two very distinct — but nearly equal — economies at play in the Village.

There's the regular stream of commerce with customers coming in to shops and purchasing goods and services, but that's only part of what keeps Bigfork running.

What many people don't see is the steady stream of volunteers who hit up businesses all over town for donations of a few dollars, or more likely, a piece of art, a gift certificate or other item.

"For us, it's do or die," said Lyn Bienvenue, one of the organizers of the Swan Lake Huckleberry Festival's auction. "If we didn't have the fund-raisers and the support of the community I don't know how we would make it."

Bienvenue said the value of donated goods ranged from just a few dollars to well over $200, and came from almost 50 different stores around Bigfork and Swan Lake.

"It (the auction) keeps our local community club funded for all of our utilities and taxes and repairs," she said. "It's an absolute necessity. It's a wonderful thing."

With so many non-profit community organizations in the Bigfork area, the need for fund-raising is nearly constant. In many cases, that's accomplished by holding an auction. If businesses and others are willing to donate the goods to be auctioned off, it can lead to pure income for a community group.

It's not just auctions, either.

In September, Bigfork is hosting the Montana Association of Chamber Executives' annual convention, and Bigfork Chamber of Commerce Director Bruce Solberg is searching for donated items to put in gift bags for 50 representatives from around Montana.

"With this, it's 50 items, people just dig down," Solberg said. "The generosity and support for the community is amazing."

For groups like the Community Foundation for a Better Bigfork, auctions held with donated items make up the backbone of their operating budget for the year.

Each year the auction brings in around $20,000 from more than 150 items that help fund community projects.