Community Involvement
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Groups Around Great Falls Take Part In Make A Difference Day
People across the country and right here in Great Falls were trying to help out their community.
As part of Make a Difference Day, different groups from around the Electric City teamed up to plant trees.
Thirty-five trees were planted to beautify the neighborhood in the 1700 block of 20th Avenue South.
Organizers say trees help improve property values and make the neighborhood more appealing.
Ten homes along the street were part of NeighborWorks Self Help Home program, where families commit to helping each other build their homes.
"I think it's important to make a difference, to give back to your community and do something good for someone who really deserves it like these homeowners," said Kindra Martin, a NeighborWorks VISTA Volunteer at the time of the project.
Volunteers planted Linden trees and Norway Maples which both grow into good shade trees.
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2012 Volunteer of the Year
NeighborWorks Great Falls named its Volunteer of the Year for 2011 at the nonprofit organization's annual meeting on Wednesday before a group of about 50, selecting a young man "who reflects community service at its best."
Tyson Hendrickson, who volunteered several months for NWGF in 2011, was chosen for the honor. Hendrickson now is living in Grand Junction, Colo., so his award was picked up by his parents, Clint and Kathy Hendrickson. Hendrickson's mother, Kathy, said, "We don't take credit for this. He is a remarkable young man, with a true love of people and a passion to volunteer." Clint Hendrikson said his son, a Gonzaga graduate, also took time off a few years ago to travel to Calcutta, India, to work for the Mother Teresa Foundation.
"When he returned to Great Falls, he began to volunteer in the community, for NeighborWorks and for the Mission. He got me involved in that with him."
Tyson Hendrickson mowed lawns, cleaned up properties, did small repair projects and helped homeowners with other projects as needed. He committed to four hours a week for the entire time he was with NWGF. NeighborWorks is an organization that focuses on neighborhood revitalization and helping people get into affordable homeownership.
NeighborWorks also honored longtime office volunteer Zedda Gallegos.
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