United Way kudos to Plum Creek

Plum Creek Manufacturing and its employees were presented the 2012 United Way Community Hero Award on Oct. 16.

The award recognizes a business or organization in the Flathead Valley that has shown exemplary support of the community. The Plum Creek Foundation in 2011 gave more than $671,000 in grants to non-profit organizations in the Pacific Northwest, including numerous organizations in the Flathead Valley.

The award was presented by Kalispell school superintendent Darlene Schottle, last year’s recipient.

“You’ve done so many different things for your community,” Schottle said.

Plum Creek and its employees have been involved in many community programs, including helping build two Habitat for Humanity homes, ringing bells for the Salvation Army, supporting the Family Forestry Expo, working on trail projects in Glacier National Park, supporting food drives and Toys for Tots, and providing grants to local schools. Local United Way executive director Sherry Stevens said Plum Creek and its employees are the top United Way contributor for Northwest Montana and have the most long-term consistent donors of any organization.