Ophir Middle School and Lone Peak High School (LPHS) Social Studies teacher Tony Coppola is often seen harnessing the flames of a massive grill outside of LPHS home games. The burgers he masterfully grills help 8th grade students earn their way to Washington D.C. He describes how the fundraising works and why the effort is so important.
Dust off the old clarinet, get a new reed for the saxophone sitting in the corner of the closet, or find the old trumpet in the attic – and start practicing for next basketball season. Tim Sullivan, Big Sky School District music teacher is inviting community participation in the only pep band to exist at Lone Peak High School in recent memory.
Beams from flashlights illuminated the darkness as snow blew and the temperature fell to negative six degrees. Boy Scouts worked their way out to three season tents in an effort to earn frost points for their camping merit badges.
Rotary Club of Big Sky Rotarians Jo Lieburg, Tim Kent, Blair Mohn, Woody Burt, Laura Seyfang and Big Sky Community Food Bank director Sarah Gaither helped teach the 8th grade class about service, according to Rotary President Laura Seyfang. The week-long effort allowed for the kids to hear from a past Peace Corps member who worked in Tanzania.
The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign was launched by a single man with a singular idea – to feed 1,000 of San Francisco’s poorest residents a free Christmas dinner on Christmas Day, according to the Salvation Army.
Big Sky came together, residents donated their talents and $5,100 was raised for the Clendenin family for “sweet baby Violet’s” fight against Cerebral Palsy. It all took place during a single night of fun at Blend Big Sky and The Rocks Tasting Room.
There is no doubt that Big Sky would not be the community it is without so many area nonprofits making things happen. With countless volunteers contributing thousands of hours, the wheels of Big Sky continue to turn thanks to their efforts. Still, projects demand money.
The Big Sky community has come together to help Wilson Hotel Sales Manager Christine Lugo-Yergensen create the first – and potentially annual– Friendsgiving Feast, a free hot meal available to all Big Sky residents. The gathering will be held at the hotel on Nov. 27 at 3 p.m.
Matt Jennings escaped the ticks, chiggers, snakes and humidity of Iowa, eventually settling in Big Sky with his wife Erika over 20 years go.
Matthew Jennings stays busy between school, skiing with Big Sky Ski Education Foundation in the winter and mountain biking with Montana NICA. He reads science fiction when he has a chance and likes to create art.
He also sees the importance of creating community – even at 13 years old.