The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

Having worked in Big Sandy for over a year now, one thing that continually amazes me is the generosity of the people who call this town home. And by generosity, I’m not just talking about money, but of time. The members of the Rotary Club give countless hours of service to this community so we can have Christmas lights to enjoy downtown and a park in the mountains to recreate, and most recently, an ice-skating rink for kids to play. The hospital Guild volunteers somehow pull together a huge rummage sale every year. Roberta Edwards volunteers countless hours inside the medical center helping to entertain the folks among other things. Even the kids volunteer through their 4H clubs, church groups, and other extra circulars. The list goes on of service organizations and individual people who give of their time to make Big Sandy a great place to live.

And when it comes to giving financially, Big Sandy must be one of the most generous communities in Montana. When a community member is seriously injured or sick, a fundraiser is organized and thousands of dollars are raised to help offset the unexpected medical and living costs.

From my perspective as the CEO of Big Sandy Medical Center, we have been the blessed recipient of this generosity in many ways during the past year starting in January 2023 with a donation of land (valued at $45,000) from the Peterson family. This is the site of our new clinic building. In April, the Big Sandy Medical Services Foundation gave the hospital $25,900 towards the kitchen remodel project. Their gift was made possible by the many community members who respond to the Foundation’s annual giving letter with a donation.

In July, the hospital was the humble recipient of a $58,000 gift from Louis Beirwagen, which has been designated for updating of patient rooms. And most recently the hospital received two generous donations; one of $50,000 from the estate of Dora Mahood, half going towards the clinic project and half going to the CT project, and a gift from Lyle McKeever of $10,000 to go toward the clinic project. We have also been gifted grant money from Lippard-Clawiter and the Tordick Foundation to assist with the dining room expansion. Wow!

This facility would not be able to remain independent without your support. Whether through time, monetary donations, patronage, or even just word of mouth advertising. As we enter a new year, I want to thank all of you who have supported Big Sandy Medical Center in the past and ask for your support again this year. I wish all of you a very happy and prosperous new year.