Ski Education Foundation among grant winners

The Roundup for Safety Board awarded $23,500 in community safety grants to nonprofit organizations at its Aug. 11 meeting, including a $6,500 grant requested by Bigfork ACES.

Bigfork ACES is an after-school and summer childcare program dedicated to providing a safe, nurturing environment for the children of Bigfork, regardless of their parents’ ability to pay. Director Cathy Hay explained to the Roundup board that free and reduced lunch students in Bigfork Schools qualify for little or no tuition fees at ACES, which is open every day that Bigfork Schools are open, and hosts camps throughout the summer. ACES has been in business for 10 years.

ACES requested assistance in building a fence at its new location.

“We recently moved – we purchased the former Bigfork Senior Center building, and we’re thrilled to be there,” Hay said. “It’s our forever home. However, the front yard desperately needs fencing to be safe for our kids.”

The grant will help construct a fence around the front yard of the Commerce Street location, directly across the street from the Bigfork Schools. The front yard has a 6-foot drop to the very busy road and currently is unusable because of safety concerns.

Before approaching the Roundup for Safety Board, ACES secured a $1,000 donation in cedar fencing and a commitment for $1,000 in volunteer labor. Parents and community members have also agreed to help construct the new fence. The board noted the collaborative community approach with approval.

Other projects funded during the August meeting included:

Bigfork Soccer Club – AEDs, pediatric/adult pads, with storage - $3,500

Kalispell Student Built Homes – scaffolding - $10,000

Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation – safety netting - $3,500

Roundup for Safety is a voluntary program for Flathead Electric Cooperative members who allow their electric bills to be rounded up to the next dollar, with the extra money going into a fund for community safety projects proposed by nonprofit organizations and considered by an independent board.