The winner is a Panther

Each year Energy Share of Montana sponsors a fourth grade art contest throughout Montana.  This year Riley Allhands of  Sheridan took home the big prize!  Second place went to Sidney Kuhl in Superior and third place went to Kannin Crawford in Kila.

Allhands’ drawing will be seen on a billboard off I-90 in Butte and on the front of Energy Shares’ donor thank you cards beginning July 1, 2023.  The billboard is supposed to go up in early March in Butte, on Continental Drive as a person is heading east, according to Rachel Haberman of Energy Share Montana. 

Allhands and her teacher, Katie Grover,  also received $75 gift cards. On Thursday,  Feb. 9, Jody Navarro from Action Inc. in Butte and Lori St.Aubin, Energy Share Board member representing NorthWestern Energy, presented Allhands  with her $75 prize in the Sheridan school gymnasium. Action Inc. and NorthWestern Energy provided backpacks stuffed with goodies to each class member, and Energy Share is buying pizza for Riley's class. 

Using the medium of art, Grover has taught her students about our Montana neighbors who sometimes need additional help with keeping warm in the winter.  Per Energy Share’s contest guidelines, the drawings by her students depict what Energy Share means to them.   

The art contest is part of Energy Share’s overall efforts to educate the public on the energy needs of our neighbors across the state.  Donations from individuals and businesses across Montana make it possible for Energy Share to help Montanans who face emergency, no-heat situations when they encounter temporary financial difficulties.  Over the last two heating seasons working with Action Inc., Energy Share helped 459 families in their service area.  Statewide, Energy Share helped nearly 4,500 families over two years, according to an Energy Share Montana press release. 

All the fourth graders who participated in the art contest send a big “thank you” to those who donate to Energy Share to help keep their neighbors warm.  NorthWestern Energy, Montana Dakota Utilities, Energy West, Cut Bank Gas Company, the propane industry, large electric users and electric cooperatives also help support Energy Share.  If you would like more information please call Action Inc. in Butte at 1-800-382-1325 or 1-406-533-6855, the statewide Energy Share office at 1-888-779-7589 or 442-4900, or visit the websites at www.butteassistanceprograms.org or www.energysharemt.com. 

Congratulations Riley! We’ll see you in Butte.