WARM HOMES MONTANA VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Montana needs you! In particular, your neighbors need you this winter. Elders and others on limited and fixed incomes, young families with single parents who are working long hours to make ends meet, persons with disabilities are some of those who will be particularly hard hit this winter. Community groups, families, churches, youth groups, schools, businesses, skilled union crafts-people and individuals are all potential service partners for this important work.
There are many ways that you can help! Volunteer and community service opportunities to assist Montanans will vary widely depending on your age and skill level, resources, size of group, and financial capacity.
Most of us are not all licensed carpenters, energy auditors, or experts. How, then, can we help? Below are some suggestions for service projects and service partners!
Donate Money
Consider donations to Energy Share! (Individuals or organizations may donate! Consider a garage sale or bake sale event around the holidays and dedicate the income to Energy Share)
100% of private donations to Energy Share are used to help people with their emergency heating needs. Gifts are tax-deductible and may be sent to PO Box 5959, Helena, MT 59604-5959. Questions or more details may be addressed to the statewide office at 406-442-4900 or 1-800-777-7589.
Energy Share contracts with the Human Resource Development Councils (HRDCs) around the state to determine eligibility and distribute funds. The Energy Share Coordinators at the HRDCs work with a local committee that reviews Energy Share applications and determines who will receive assistance, working within contractual guidelines. These committees are made up of representatives from utility companies, senior citizen advocates, AFDC offices, schools, churches, low-income population, and minority populations.
Energy Share
P.O. Box 5959
Helena, MT 59604-5959
Energy Share is a 501©(3) organization, so individual’s donations are deductible under the IRS code.
Donate Time
(Following is a listing of local agencies that may be able to provide you with technical advice or link you with persons who could use some help with home weatherization projects.)
HRDC’s Weatherization Offices: These agencies work with the Low Income Energy Assistance Program to provide weatherization assistance to households that need it. They also process applications for Energy Share funds. They may be able to connect volunteers to individuals and homes that need assistance.
- Action for Eastern Montana in Glendive – Gary Flokker 406.377.3564 (Carter, Custer, Daniels, Fallon, Garfield, McCone, Phillips, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Roosevelt, Rosebud, Sheridan, Treasure, Valley, and Wibaux Counties; Fort Peck Reservation, Northern Cheyenne Reservation)
- District IV HRDC in Havre – Camie Jorgensen 406.265.6743 (Blaine, Hill, and Liberty Counties; Rocky Boys Reservation, Ft. Belknap Reservation)
- Opportunities Incorporated Great Falls – Chuck Sutej 406.761.0310 (Cascade, Chouteau, Glacier, Pondera, Teton, and Toole Counties; Blackfeet Reservation)
- District VI HRDC in Lewistown – Glenn Richards 406.535.7488 or 1.800.766.3018 (Fergus, Golden Valley, Judith Basin, Musselshell, Petroleum, and Wheatland Counties)
- District VII HRDC in Billings – Wayne Schmidt 406.248.1477 (Big Horn, Carbon, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, and Yellowstone Counties; Crow Reservation))
- Rocky Mountain Development Council in Helena – Roger Bacon 406.447.1625 (Broadwater, Jefferson, and Lewis and Clark Counties)
- District IX HRDC in Bozeman – Mike Phinney 406.587.4486 (Gallatin, Meagher, and Park Counties)
- North West Montana Human Resources – Margie Jones 406.752.6565 (Flathead, Lake, Lincoln, and Sanders Counties)
- District XI HRC – Jim Wilson 406.728.3710 (Mineral, Missoula, and Ravalli Counties)
- District XII HRC – Dennis Ossello 406.496.4975 (Beaverhead, Deer Lodge, Granite, Madison, Powell, and Silverbow Counties)
- Salish Kootenai Housing Authority – Michelle Morigeau 406.675.4491 (Flathead Reservation)
Montana State University County Extension Agents:
Each County in Montana has an Extension Service office that offers information, fact sheets, and technical assistance to homeowners, businesses, and volunteers wishing to do weatherization. Volunteer organizations, 4-H groups, etc., may work with County Extension agents to set up trainings for volunteers on some simple, low-cost or no-cost weatherization activities.
MSU Extension offers 16 different weatherization client education brochures for the HRDC’s and for the general public. These brochures cover all aspects of home energy savings. The program also has a public information Kiosk that focuses on healthy homes and that can be reprogrammed for use in energy education. Extension agents offer energy saving programs to 4-H programs, Tribes and to Montana Seniors.
A Directory of Extension offices and staff can be found on the MSU Extension website.
Local partners: Laborers International Local 1686 Business Agents around Montana have offered their willingness to assist volunteer efforts by matching them with skilled craftsmen and women (when possible) to advise and assist in home weatherization projects.
Helena: Warren Smeltzer, Business Manager – 406.442.1441
Billings: Ron Goertzen, Field Rep. – 406.259.4471
Butte: Mick Wonnacott, Field Rep. – 406.723.8102
Great Falls: Brian Boland, Field Rep. – 406.452.3653
Missoula: Mickey Mulholland, Field Rep. 406.543.4782
