Wings cancer benefit: helping carry neighbor's burdens
In 1995, Wings Regional Cancer Support first came together to help community members in Flathead and Lincoln Counties with the out-of-pocket expenses associated with cancer treatment.
Libby resident Connie Wood was one of the co-founders of the organization, which raises funds for cancer patients and their families in Lincoln, Flathead and Lake counties.
Both Wood and a friend were traveling to Kalispell for radiation treatment when they began to meet others from the area who would have to either make the drive every day or pay for hotels during their treatment, said her daughter, Karen Stickney.
When the founding members first drew lines on a map connecting areas in Lincoln and Flathead counties while discussing fundraising, someone noticed that the lines formed the shape of a pair of wings, and the name of the organization was born.
Wood passed away from cancer in 2013, but her family carries on with Wings in her memory, said Stickney, who is currently a board member.
The difference the organization makes can be significant, said Sharon Sullivan, an organizer for Wings events in the Yaak. She has known local people who both donated to and later benefitted from the non profit.
One person Wings recently helped is in his late 80s or early 90s, and faced having to travel from the Yaak to Kalispell for seven weeks in order to receive radiation treatment. Just one-ways the trip would take three hours to drive.
“Because of his income and such, to support staying in a place for that length of time would have been prohibitive,” Sullivan said. “I know that personally, that we’re making a difference, and that’s just one of many.”
Hugh Hollyday is a resident of the Yaak who has helped often in the past with the charity, Stickney said.
When he found out he had throat cancer, Roberta Deneau — who organizes the Wings Walk every September — started “nagging” him to apply for benefits through wings while he was receiving treatment.
“I said, ‘Ah, Wings, that’s for families, when the kids have cancer and the parents need help,’” he said.
But, Deneau insisted, even filling out the paperwork for Hollyday.
Hollyday said he was surprised when he returned from a trip to Kalispell for treatment to find a letter from Wings and a check to help cover his expenses.
In 2017, Wings granted $73,000 to 66 Lincoln County residents dealing with cancer related expenses, while raising almost $75,000 that same year.
“It’s pretty impressive to me that our communities, this size, can raise something like $75,000 for one cause,” Stickney said. “And every year it just kind of amazes me that we get that.”
Stickney said that the small and dedicated community in the Yaak stand out especially, where around half of the money for Lincoln County is raised every year.
The 2017 Wings Walk raised $14,000, and there have been years that the annual auction at the Yaak River Tavern each May has raised $25-$30,000.
A lot of that comes from residents who will bid amounts like $500 for a pie their neighbor made, Stickney said. The event will begin this year at noon, with a Mexican dinner at 5 p.m. and both a silent and live auctions.
There is also a Wings Mexican dinner held at the Libby Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1548 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. that same night.
Wings week begins May 1, and runs through May 11. Events locally are held in Libby, Troy and the Yaak.
On May 9, volunteers will also walk door-to-door in Libby for Dollar Days, a tradition which started from the inspiration of how much could be raised if every person in the county gave only a dollar, Stickney said. However, there will be no walk in Troy, due to the lack of an organizer for the city.
Donations can be made to Wings, PO Box 1160, Libby, MT 59923 or can be dropped off at the First Montana Bank branches in both Libby and Troy.
Questions or interest in event tickets can be directed to Karen Stickney at 406-293-4380.
Wings 2018 events
Wings Raffle
- Henry .22 LR Golden Boy
- Ron Adamson Wall Carving
- Half day whitewater or scenic raft ride for two on Flathead River
Teickets: 293-4380
Tuesday, May 1
7 p.m.
Troy Bowling at Trojan Lanes
Sign up: 295-5024
Thursday, May 3
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Brews for Benefits at Cabinet Mountain Brewery
Saturday, May 5
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Motorcycle Poker Run at the Switchback
- $10 per hand
- Sing up day of
Information: 291-2201 or 283-2127
12 p.m.
Wings Mexican Dinner at Yaak River Tavern
- Fun starts at noon, Mexican dinner at 5 p.m.
- Silent and live auction items
Information: 295-5159
6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Wings Mexican Dinner at Libby Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1548
- Dinner by donation
Tuesday, May 8
7 p.m.
Libby Bowling at Lincoln Lanes
Sign up: 293-7842
Wednesday, May 9
5 p.m.
Dollar Day
- Walkers for Libby meet at Libby Fire Hall
- No Troy walk this year
Friday, May 11
6:30 p.m.
‘Wingo’ Bingo Tournament at Libby Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1548
- $20 per person
- Prizes, raffles, snacks, cash