FCB Assists Glasgow Schools

First Community Bank recently donated $500 to the Glasgow schools lunch program to help struggling families cover the cost of providing school lunch for their kids. Every Friday, FCB employees in Glasgow pay two dollars into a fund for the privilege of wearing jeans to work. When the account reaches $500, the money is donated to a need in the community.

FCB also recently assisted Irle School in upgrading their playground and making it more inclusive for students and the community by presenting Irle School PTO with a $1,000 check on Feb. 12. "Every year we donate to non-profit organizations in the community, and we thought this was a really good cause," stated FCB assistant branch manager Arron Franzen.

"Our hope is to break ground in June and install a walking path, put up a permanent fence and also install swings into the playground," said PTO president Kim Turner. To help with the costs associated with these upgrades, the Irle School PTO has coordinated fundraisers including McTeacher night at McDonalds, which raised just shy of $1,000, a Father-Daughter Dance, which occurred on Feb. 9, and raised $1,200 after expenses, and sold Candy-Grams for Valentine's Day, which as of press time has raised $1,100 and counting.

Even with the successfulness of these fundraisers, there still is a ways to go to reach the funds necessary for the upgrades. Grants have been applied for in order to offset some of the costs and students will be bringing home order forms this week to allow parents the opportunity to order a 31 large utility tote through Cara Morehouse-Pinder for only $35. Students will also be selling World's Finest Chocolates starting at the end of February.

"We are so grateful for the community support in helping us raise funds for upgrading the playground," said Turner, continuing, "The first annual Father-Daughter Dance could not have been successful without Dave Pippin, his wife, and his granddaughter donating D.J. services, Kim Stingley in donating decorations, Valley View Home in donating their popcorn machine, and countless others who volunteered, provided their time, energy, and donations in making this event a success. It was a real collaborative effort."

With the successfulness of the Father-Daughter Dance, there are plans for a Mother-Son event in the springtime and the Irle School PTO will also be celebrating their one-year anniversary of existence in March. "We are always looking for more people to be involved. It's a great way to get involved and make changes," said PTO member Jenn Jackson. The PTO meets the second Monday of every month at the school at 6 p.m.

If you would like to donate funds to the upgrading of the playground, you can contact Kim Turner at 406-230-0313. If you would like to order a utility tote, contact Care Morehouse-Pinder at 406-599-7469 or visit the social media event page at http://www.facebook.com/events/244039169830711/.