Abbie Newsletter, July 2026
- Jul 15
- 4 min read
IN THIS NEWSLETTER
Helpline volunteers needed
Whitefish Community Foundation grant
Park Side partnership update
Become a monthly donor
Back 2 School Bash
Stayin’ Alive Celebration
HELPLINE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Are you looking for a meaningful way to give back to your community? Consider volunteering on the Abbie Shelter Helpline! As our most vital volunteer position, Helpline volunteers are thoroughly trained and work independently to offer information and support to callers. Volunteers like Molly, whose story is shared below, play a key role in helping make our community a safer place for everyone who lives here.
"I volunteered with the Abbie Shelter when I was a senior at Glacier High School. I helped promote the Red Flag Project to educate classmates about relationships and dating violence. I went on to volunteer with Students Against Sexual Assault at Montana State University, leading a Take Back the Night event and serving as a peer advocate at the VOICE Center. I have continued my passion for volunteering and supporting survivors into my adult life. I am grateful to the Abbie Shelter for not only being a space for healing, but also education and support for our community. It is an incredibly important and valuable resource. Here's to the next 50 years!"
- Molly Wright, Whitefish Community Foundation
WHITEFISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION GRANT
We are thrilled to share that the Abbie Shelter received a $6,000 grant through Whitefish Community Foundation’s Community Grant Program. These funds will support our critical emergency hotel services for survivors of abuse.
As a grassroots nonprofit, the Abbie relies on opportunities like the Community Grant Program to continue providing essential safety services to survivors in Flathead County, free of charge.
We are also pleased to announce that we will be participating in the 2026 Great Fish Community Challenge! This annual event is hosted by Whitefish Community Foundation and has become an extremely important source of support not only for our organization, but also for the 80+ other local nonprofits who will participate this year.
The Challenge starts on August 11, so stay tuned for details on the many ways you can participate in this exciting annual campaign. We are incredibly thankful for Whitefish Community Foundation and its unparalleled contributions to local Flathead Valley nonprofits like the Abbie Shelter!
PARK SIDE PARTNERSHIP UPDATE
As part of our year-long partnership with Park Side Credit Union, we recently welcomed a wonderful group of Park Side volunteers to our shelter facility.
They provided hours of invaluable support helping our staff clean and organize our donation storage area, allowing us to more easily get needed items into the hands of the survivors and families who access our services.
Thank you, Park Side, for your continued collaboration and support of the Abbie Shelter’s mission!
BECOME A MONTHLY DONOR
Your gift to the Abbie Shelter goes directly to those who need it most: survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault right here in Flathead County.
Consider becoming a monthly donor to support our work year-round. No gift is too small to make a profound difference. As one client explains, the generosity of our regular donors has the power to impact a survivor's life in deeply meaningful ways.
"The support of the Abbie Shelter staff has changed the direction of my life and my daughter's life. The support of the Helpline that assisted me in times of crisis and building a safety plan. The court advocates assisting me through the confusing legal system to obtain an order of protection. The financial assistance that in a time of financial instability kept my phone service active. The support group that gave me the education and support of how to manage the trauma I experienced and allowed me to connect with others and know I was not alone.
“All these services working together gave me the support and education I needed to leave an abusive relationship and not return. The Abbie Shelter saved my life; without the selfless work of the amazing staff and volunteers my story would have had an entirely different ending."
- Anonymous Abbie Shelter client
BACK 2 SCHOOL BASH
Although it feels like summer just arrived here in the Flathead, it's almost back to school season! Visit the Abbie Shelter table at the upcoming Back 2 School Bash, an annual community celebration hosted by Northwest Montana United Way that's designed to help local students start the school year confident, prepared, and excited to learn.
This event takes place across multiple communities on four dates in August. Join us at the Kalispell location on Saturday, August 8 from 10am - 2pm at the Gateway Community Center. See below for more details.
STAYIN’ ALIVE CELEBRATION
Mark your calendars! The Abbie Shelter turns 50 in 2026, and we’re celebrating in style with a golden anniversary party and fundraiser on October 10. We hope you’ll join us for an evening of delicious food, entertainment, raffles, and a disco dance party. Tickets will go on sale August 1.
In the meantime, we are seeking event sponsors and raffle item donors. If you or your business or organization are interested in participating, click the link below, or contact Executive Director Kristen Schepker at kristen@abbieshelter.org for more information.
If you or a loved one need support,
call our Helpline at 406-752-7273
(Monday - Friday, 9am - 9pm)
or visit abbieshelter.org.
