DREAM earns grant for summer program

DREAM Adaptive Recreation has been awarded a $9,000 grant from The Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund to support the nonprofit’s Summer Water Sports Program.

The grant will be used to help defray the costs of the program, which aims to empower individuals with disabilities through a variety of water sports.

“Weyerhaeuser continues to show their commitment to our community,” shared DREAM Executive Director, Julie Tickle. “Their annual support allows us to provide inclusive outdoor recreation programs for those living in the Flathead Valley. This partnership allows many families to enjoy lake activities together. For many, this is their only opportunity of the summer. It is our hope that skills learned through our programs, such as gaining confidence and increased independence, will transfer into other areas of the participants’ lives. We are honored to receive this generous grant and excited Weyerhaeuser continues to support our desire to ensure all community members have access to the benefits of outdoor recreation.”

The DREAM Water Sports Program is set to take place July 14-17 at the Thompson Family’s private residence on Echo Lake in Bigfork. July 14-16 is open to individuals ages 5 to adults and their families, including those with physical, cognitive, intellectual and sensory impairments. July 17th is reserved for military veterans with disabilities and their family members.

Activities will include water skiing, wake boarding, knee boarding, tubing, paddle boarding, kayaking, boating and swimming. No previous experience is required as staff and volunteers will be on hand to provide support and instruction.

Special care will be taken this year to follow local and state health guidelines.

“The mission of the Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund is to improve the quality of life in communities where Weyerhaeuser has a presence. We made our first charitable donation in 1903 and have provided more than $243 million in grants through our formal giving program, established in 1948. In both rural and urban settings, we support hundreds of important organizations and programs in the communities where we operate with money, time, skills and resources,” explains Weyerhaeuser Montana Resource Manager and Giving Fund committee member Tom Ray.

Weyerhaeuser currently operates three mills in Montana: a lumber mill in Kalispell, a plywood mill in Kalispell and a medium-density fiberboard mill in Columbia Falls. There are currently just under 600 people employed by Weyerhaeuser in the state of Montana.

To learn more about the DREAM Adaptive Recreation and ways to become involved, please contact the office at (406) 862-1817 or visit www.dreamadaptive.org.