Overwhelmed by community support

When my husband, Sean, and I moved to Whitefish in March 2013, we wanted change. We craved community spirit and like-minded people.

Along with our possessions, we brought Riding On Insulin (ROI) with us. ROI is a nonprofit we started that empowers, activates and connects the type 1 diabetes (T1D) community through action sports. T1D is an autoimmune disease with no cure - very different than type 2 diabetes, which shares the name. We host 18 annual ski/snowboard camps for kids with T1D in 3 countries - one of which serves Flathead kids at Whitefish Mountain Resort. We have been overwhelmed with the community support since our first camp in January 2014.

Long-time residents are thinking “Yep-sounds like Whitefish,” but let me reiterate: This community is so generous!

In March, I began renting an office at 105 Wisconsin Avenue. The businesses there - Paddlefish Sports, Fresh Tracks Coffee, & Glacier Ginger Brew - have taken ROI in as one of their own; I’m proud of our micro-community.

In September, we held an event to help fund our local camp, in collaboration with Moonshine Mountain, local businesses and individuals that donated raffle items and funds. It raised over $4,000!

Last week, Whitefish Mountain Resort committed to lift ticket pricing that’s more competitive than any other resort we work with worldwide, resulting in a minimum cost savings of $500.

Also last week, ROI received a $2,500 grant from the Whitefish Community Foundation to support costs of the local camp.

If you’re keeping track, that’s $7,000 of local contributions that support families, scholarships, volunteer costs, and more.

So thank you Whitefish for being the change Sean and I needed, and thanks-most of all-for embracing our passion as your own.

For more on the Jan. 17 camp, visit http://RidingOnInsulin.org/Montana or call (406) 214-3266x1.

— Mollie Busby, Whitefish