Wings helps provide support for families struggling with cancer

As most of you are aware, Wings of Lincoln County is a non-profit, volunteer-driven community service organization that raises and distributes money for local cancer patients. 

Given our remote location, these neighbors, friends and family members must often commute to Kalispell, Couer d’Alene or Spokane for treatment. Even with the best insurance plans, the costs of gasoline and/or lodging are generally not covered.  The resultant expense to the cancer patient and his/her family makes a difficult situation even more so.

For the past 11 years, Troy High School students have been raising money for Wings of Lincoln County. In a spirited competition between the classes, students engage in various fundraisers over a two-week period each spring to see which class can raise the most money to be donated to Wings. Led by the senior class, students at Troy High School raised $2,854.59 this year, bringing the grand total to $40,477.30.

The funds were raised in a variety of ways.  Students sponsored a baked potato dinner, held bake sales, sold “pizza by the slice” during lunchtime and sold ice-cream floats. Some students put themselves on the line, taking a pie in the face or auctioning eggs to be thrown at themselves by their peers. The senior class held a “Walk for Wings” by walking from Libby to Troy with a banner encouraging passers-by to remember to donate to Wings. Many students emptied their own piggy banks, obtained donations from their parents and from local churches and businesses.

Some students took noteworthy leadership roles for their class. Among these were Hailey Labelle, Ricky Starks, Michael Beers from the junior high and Riley Burke, Sarah Pierce, Ceanna Diller, Heather Lyons, Samantha Rohrich, Olivia Roach, Makayla Henson, Jasmine Barnes, Tucker Winn, Allie Brown, Rebecca Rotolo and Alex Day from the high school.

A large number of local businesses, churches and civic organizations also helped the students reach their fundraising goals.

As we approach the month of May, the annual Wings Walkers will be knocking on your door and asking for your financial assistance for area cancer patients. I respectfully request that you give generously, knowing that 100 percent of your tax-deductible contribution is given to residents of Lincoln County--our neighbors, friends, and family members--who are engaged in a fight for their life against an insidious disease. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

— Kelly Palmer,

 Troy