Since 2015, our holiday tradition has continued to grow. In year two, Great West began offering a dollar for dollar match for employee contributions. From 2016 through 2019, we raised over $18,000 and shopped for 14 families in and around Helena, Florence Crittenton, and Youth Dynamics. To date, we have provided everything from toys, to coats and boots, to food and gas.

With each year, special stories are created that touch our hearts. One in particular that stands out was in 2018. We were put in touch with a family in which the mother removed herself and her four children from an abusive relationship. The father took their washer and dryer and the kids’ beds. She was working two jobs, facing health issues requiring surgery, her cupboards were empty, and her kids were sleeping on the floor. Through the generosity of Great West and our employees, we were able to provide beds for the kids, a washer and dryer, and fill their cupboards with food. The mother of that family, with tears streaming down her face, couldn’t thank us enough, and the children were smiling ear to ear. They were so excited to have beds, something most of us take for granted. Later that year one of our employees ran into her at the grocery store and she said, again through tears, that Great West’s generosity gave her the boost she needed to get back on her feet and she would be forever grateful.