Gianforte Marks 50th Spirit of Montana Award

Statement

Congressman Greg Gianforte (R-Mont.) recently presented the Spirit of Montana award to its 50th recipient, Buffy Smith of Helena.

"The 50 recipients of the Spirit of Montana have made lasting, positive impacts in their communities," Gianforte said. "Many have demonstrated a selfless dedication to public service. Some have shown an entrepreneurial spirit that brings jobs and greater prosperity to their communities. Others have persevered through extraordinary hardships. They make Montana a better place, and I'm honored to recognize them."

Gianforte launched the Spirit of Montana award in 2018 to recognize Montanans for their accomplishments, dedication, or service. Gianforte highlights the recipient in the U.S. House of Representatives and personally contacts the honorees.

Gianforte encourages anyone to nominate Montanans for the Spirit of Montana award by contacting his office at 202-225-3211 or by email at https://gianforte.house.gov/contact/email.

Here is a list of the 50 Spirit of Montana award winners:

Billings

Lonnie Bell, April 20, 2018

Kyla Johnston and Karlee Alberton, June 24, 2019

Jay Kohn, January 11, 2019

Kirstin and Matthew Lundgren, September 13, 2019

Perry Jones and Jim Markel, July 20, 2018

Vicki Massie, June 7, 2019

James Thompson, March 8, 2019

Stella and Ziggy Ziegler, October 29, 2019

Bigfork

Faith Blackaby and Jillian and Julia Wynne, January 25, 2019

Big Timber

Big Timber Grade School & Sweet Grass County High School, February 9, 2019

Bozeman

Mason Stimatze, November 21, 2019

Browning

Betty Cooper, May 9, 2019

Butte

Ellen Crain, June 28, 2019

Bridget Mallo, May 3, 2019

Colstrip

Colstrip United, May 25, 2018

Columbus

Joan Nye, November 16, 2018

Dillon

Montana Youth ChalleNGe Academy, June 18, 2019

Eureka

Alicja Edwards, January 18, 2019

Gerryowen

Peggy White Well Known Buffalo and Susan Kelly, December 2, 2019

Glasgow

Tanja Fransen, May 17, 2019

Lynne and Myron Malnaa, November 14, 2019

Great Falls

Jim Sargent, May 31, 2019

Dave Snuggs, March 1, 2019

Patricia "Piano Pat" Spoonheim, May 18, 2018

Gib Swan, September 28, 2018

Pat Volkmar, June 8, 2018

Hays

Betty Campbell, September 7, 2018

Helena

Harold Blattie, April 27, 2018

Webb Brown, November 30, 2018

Troy McGee, April 1, 2019

Buffy Smith, December 4, 2019

Judith Gap

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 70, June 15, 2018

Kalispell

Emma Anderson, July 27, 2018

Allen and Linda Erickson, October 18, 2019

Devin Rich and Kiersten Bare, December 14, 2018

Livingston

John Morford, September 17, 2019

Lloyd

Frank and Bettie Barber, June 22, 2018

Malta

Jack Stenswick, February 15, 2019

Miles City

Haven Meged, July 24, 2019

Missoula

Benjamin Brunsvold, Andrew Drobeck and Blake Meyers, September 14, 2018

Lola "Olie" Else, May 11, 2018

Steve Fetveit, July 13, 2018

Molt

Justin Downs, April 5, 2019

Troy McGee, April 1, 2019

Montana City

Montana Outfitters and Guides Association, June 29, 2018

Ronan

Judy Preston, September 25, 2019

Sidney

Katie Dasinger, December 21, 2018

Plains

Chris McGuigan, April 12, 2019

Whitefish

Doug Follett, July 16, 2019

Winnett

Winnett ACES, March 15, 2019

Source