Volunteers

Mike and Margrette Kinne are native Montanans, he from Billings, she from Miles City. They have four children and seven grandchildren.

Nineteen years ago, they moved from Miles City to Whitefish where he accepted the position of special service director in the Whitefish school system, and she entered the Kalispell system in elementary education.

Both enjoy the outdoors but in varying degrees. She likes the hiking, camping and cross-country skiing but leaves the motorbiking, trap-shooting and golf to Mike. Margrette particularly enjoys her knitting club, which consists of seven long-time friends who meet weekly at one of their homes and knit "all kinds of things' for their families and friends.

High on their list of things they enjoy is traveling and visiting family and friends.

They have both worked with the Special Olympics, and Mike has served on the Doug Betters Foundation and as a child advocate under the CASA program.

The Kinnes are enthusiastic about their work at the Whitefish Community Center (home of the Golden Agers), which is staffed entirely by volunteers. They take their turns at kitchen-duty preparing the Meals on Wheels, and serving the many people who eat lunch there each day.

They speak glowingly of the atmosphere of friendship which prevails. Margrette describes her work as "fun" and says "we totally have a blast." Mike, who also serves on the Whitefish Community Center's board of directors, is reportedly very good at pots and pans.

When asked why they volunteer, Mike answers for them by saying, "It just feels good to be able to give a little back to the community."

Mike and Margrette, you are representative of the soul of our community. You have done much to give comfort and hope to many people, and we thank you.

— Jake Heckathorn

This column is dedicated to those who give freely of their time and energy to worthwhile community projects, but whose efforts often go unnoticed. If you know such a person, please e-mail jheckathorn@centurytel.net.