MISSOULA - Blackfoot announced a total pledge of up to $50,000 to support local communities affected by Montana's unprecedented wildfire season and to help offset the extensive damage. Nearly $30,000 is set aside for service credits business customers in severely impacted areas including Seeley Lake.
"Blackfoot is concerned for all those affected by the fires that hit the heart of our communities and we're committed to helping our member-owners, customers, neighbors and employees recover," said Jason Williams, Blackfoot CEO. "Montanans are known for our ability to work together, to support each other and to recover from challenging times like we experienced this summer. Our service technicians were on the front of the firelines for weeks on end and everyone at Blackfoot was paying attention to what was happening in our service area communities. On behalf of our Board of Trustees and employees, I'm very pleased to provide financial assistance to help offset the impact of the 2017 fire season."
Blackfoot business customers in Seeley Lake received a notice at the end of October acknowledging the impact of the summer fire season on the business community of Seeley Lake. Blackfoot said it would provide, "a bit of relief through a one-month [service] credit" for its telephone and internet services.
In addition to the $30,000 in service credits, Blackfoot donated $5,000 to the United Way of Missoula County Fire Fund and $5,000 to the Montana Wildfire Relief Fund at the Montana Community Foundation.
Riley Meredith, Marketing and Communications Director at the Montana Community Foundation thanked Williams for the donation. "We greatly appreciate this generous donation from Blackfoot. These funds will support many organizations across Montana such as rural volunteer fire departments that are so crucial in wildfire prevention, as well as the many nonprofit organizations that provide relief to individuals directly affected by these terrible fires."
The remaining funds will be used for additional wildfire relief efforts in Blackfoot's service areas. Blackfoot has been utilizing its customer care team to help identify needs in the community as well as listening to customers at the public outreach events and its employees who also live in the affected communities.
Laura Marshall, vice president of Blackfoot's Corporate Administration said, "We want to thank our board of trustees who live in the communities we serve and our CEO. These are people with big hearts and compassion to support each other in these difficult times."
To learn more about the United Way of Missoula County Fire Fund visit: http://www.missoulaunitedway.org/
To learn more about the Montana Wildfire Relief Fund at the Montana Community Foundation visit: https://www.mtcf.org/MFRF
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