Generosity fills backpacks

SEELEY LAKE – Every year when school starts Seeley Lake Elementary Secretary Suzie Teafoe has a collection of donated school supplies available to help students. This year Teafoe said the generosity has been amazing and well beyond her expectations. She has two cabinets full of donated supplies thanks to local business owner Terry Lucke of Fat Hippie, other generous individuals and local groups.

Lucke said he feels that taking care of needs in the community should come from the individuals and businesses who live there. He saw the need for supplies at SLE and felt he was able to contribute this year.

"This town has been very kind and generous and supportive of me in the last eight or nine years that I have lived here and I was in a position to help out," said Lucke. "I feel like it is our responsibility to make sure the kids have what they need. I think the schools get overlooked and everyone assumes that they pay property taxes and it should be handled but maybe that is not always the case."

Teafoe gave Lucke a list of supplies required for each grade. She highlighted that they are usually short of supplies for the older grades. Lucke chose to focus on the fourth, fifth and sixth grade levels purchasing supplies from the list.

During a meeting with the Seeley Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber representative noticed a large stack of notebook paper at his shop. When asked what it was for, Lucke explained that he was collecting supplies to donate to SLE. The Chamber shared the information on social media.

While he wasn't looking for the accolades or publicity, Lucke used the promotion to rally more support and donations for SLE. Fidelity Diagnostics of Missoula heard about the need from Fat Hippie and donated several packs of markers, colored pencils, crayons and scissors.

"My goal was to get some stuff to the kids over there. I don't really care how it got there," said Lucke.

Teafoe said every little bit helps. Several local individuals have dropped off bags of supplies and the Veterans and Families of Seeley Lake donated 12 backpacks again this year. Teafoe now has enough to supply students with everything they need except their gym shoes. She has already handed out supplies to a few local families.

"I think what is so wonderful about it is [families] don't feel uncomfortable about it," said Teafoe. "They just know they can come see me and I will make sure we take care of it."

While SLE has enough supplies for the start of school, donations are always welcome and are needed throughout the year. Any school supplies members of the community are willing to donate would be greatly appreciated. Donations can be dropped off at the school during the week.

"It's hard living in Seeley. We try to have some things on hand but this helps substantially having this supply," said Teafoe. "It just makes my heart soar the more I look at it."