Donations help keep Troy After School Program going

The Lincoln County Credit Union has provided a sizable donation to help kick start the Troy Public Schools After School Program for another school year.

Troy After School Program Director Jennifer Higgins recently let Credit Union President Lindsay Beaty know that the program was not receiving a critical federal grant for the upcoming school year. The program that served about 45 kids a day last year was short $30,000 to fund the program.

“They were reaching out to community members, businesses and other grant agencies to see if they would like to donate to the After School Program,” Beaty said.

That’s when the Credit Union decided to step up and provide a $15,000 donation to the program.

“Since Lincoln County Credit Union always looks for ways to help in the communities they serve, the Board of Directors thought it was a wonderful idea to give back and help fund the After School Program,” Beaty stated.

“Staff have heard many mentions of how the After School Program has affected community members lives and how it provides an opportunity for students to learn new skills and have a place to go after school.”

Higgins said other local businesses have also chipped in. Town Pump in Troy donated $2,500, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Troy donated $500, and First Montana Bank donated $400. Kootenai Drug helped cover the cost of bubble wand supplies, which the program sold this summer to raise an additional $800. Yaak Valley Forest Council donated booth space at the Fourth of July festival so the program could sell the bubble wands.

Higgins said more donations are needed to fully fund the program.

“It’s a work in progress,” she said. “We have enough to get us started and hope we can go quite a ways.”

The program is offered Monday to Thursday for elementary students. Students who attend are welcomed with a snack and given the opportunity to receive extra help with schoolwork. They also get the chance to participate in a wide variety of activities including crafting, athletics and community service.

The first day of the program is Sept. 3.

For more information or to make a donation, contact ASP Program Director Jennifer Higgins at 406-295-4321 ext. 3 or jhiggins@troyk12.org.