Greater Whitehall Area Love INC Ceases Operation

The organization Greater Whitehall Area Love INC (IN the NAME of CHRIST), an affiliate of Love In The Name of Christ National, a non-profit charity serving the Whitehall community, officially ceased operations as of August 2021.

A Development Committee was headed by Leslie Alley in 2016, with its first board sworn in January 2017. The governing board and staff over five years worked hard to organize and unite area Christian churches and their members with direction from the national organization in providing a safety net for those area residents needing help.

Since 2016, the organization’s leadership included Dave Klem, Jeannie Ferriss, and Ron Jung serving as board chairs. Board members included Erv Hedegaard, Joe Schlemmer, Lance Julius, Pastor Michael Hope, Karen Burtch, Sue Joy, Marci Whitehurst, and Dawn Huckaba. Two members served as Executive Directors in carrying out the board’s directives, Sheri Shaw and Deanna Smith. Denise McCord served as the Connection Coordinator.

Love INC’s goal is to work with area churches and volunteers from their congregations with philosophy of offering not just “a handout but a hand up,” encouraging and educating clients in researching solutions that would help them and their family’s lives.

GWA Love INC would like to thank the partner churches, Zion Lutheran, and the Seventh Day Adventist, along with participating churches, Cardwell Community Church, Covenant Community Church Trinity Methodist Church, and Saint Teresa of Avila Catholic Church members, along with countless others of different denominations, for their financial and volunteer support.

GWA would also like to thank Ellen Wagner for the much-reduced office rent for several years and especially Sammi Sinclaire for her offering of free office space during our operation, along with her seemingly endless support.

Grants from the Gianforte Foundation, Whitehall Chamber of Commerce, Jefferson Valley Community Foundation, and Town Pump Inc. were very much appreciated. The event space and donations by Rocky Mountain Bank and their employees were wonderful examples of how a community can come together and support worthwhile causes.

As a final gesture, GWA is providing grants from our remaining funds to local Christian churches to develop programs to carry on Love INC’s desire to help people in our community. Those churches interested in these grants are asked to contact Deanna Smith at 406-560-7875 to discuss their ideas in developing outreach programs.

In conclusion, Greater Whitehall Area Love INC. would like to express our joy in having served our neighbors in need throughout our community. It has been an honor to serve and help them in their times of need, in the name of Christ.