Dear Flathead Valley Merchant,

What is an essential business? This question has become highly pertinent during Covid-19. Is Braveheart Chaplain Ministry an essential business, even apart from the Covid-19 issue? We believe this question is best answered by the community.

What exactly did chaplain services look like in relation to the triple homicide – suicide that occurred in Flathead County in June? It meant various chaplains did the following:

• Responded to the scene and to the hospital to be with one family. • Assisted the coroner with the death notifications. • Arranged a debriefing for responders. • Organized food for officers coming from the scene. • Facilitated a discussion so friends of the suspect could process their experience. • Provided referrals so survivors could have the necessary counseling resources. • Counseled the landlord of the residence where the incident occurred. • Provided opportunities for responders to talk through their related challenges.

It seems these services categorize Braveheart as essential because they positively affect people’s responses to trauma. These needs which chaplains meet range from the emotional trauma related to a serious motor vehicle crash to life altering medical emergencies, to unexpected deaths including accidents, suicides, homicides and natural events.

Braveheart Chaplain Ministry is celebrating our 10th anniversary this year! This means we have been providing professional chaplain services to the Flathead Valley since 2010. As we glance back, we are so thankful for the provision of funds to help take care of our community.

Looking forward, we are excited to continue standing alongside of our law enforcement officers, medics, firefighters, dispatchers, and detention officers, as they continuously serve our communities. We will also keep resourcing our fellow citizens who are experiencing a life-altering event so that they receive what is needed to go forward in their lives.

As a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation, Braveheart is entirely funded through donations. We exist because of the generosity of donors like yourself.

This fall, we will hold our 3rd annual HERO Gala, our major fundraising event for the year! Because of the pandemic the Gala will be virtual. This means that we will record it all ahead of time and debut it on Friday, October 23, at 7:00 p.m. on various social media. Afterwards, it will be available for viewing at any time.

“Thank you so much for your part in helping our community (citizens & responders) deal with the trauma during these tragic times. You are truly a blessing for those

who need your kindness and wisdom to deal with these events.” – Treva

The 2020 HERO Gala will include celebrating our 10th anniversary, the debut of our new promotional video, testimonies of a responder and a citizen whom we have served as well as drawings for some awesome prizes!

Our fundraising will come through ticket sales and corporate sponsorships. Everyone who purchases a ticket will be entered into the drawing for lots of great giveaways!

As a local business, you can support Braveheart in three different ways:

• Purchase tickets for $25 each

• Donate an item for our drawing

• Become a corporate sponsor for the event

Go to BraveheartMinistry.com or call Ellen at (406) 270-4763 after 6pm to support us in one of these ways.

We appreciate your involvement as we continue providing essential chaplain services for our community.

Drew Buckner

Executive Director/Chaplain

BraveheartMinistry.com