Submitted by the NEMHS Charitable Foundation

The Northeast Montana Health Services Charitable Foundation has received a $1,078 grant from the Roosevelt County Community Foundation to purchase a medical-grade laboratory chair for the Poplar Laboratory.

Although the chair carries a substantial price tag, healthcare facilities must use equipment suitable for specific medical settings, including the chairs used by technicians at both NEMHS laboratories.

Brandi Lynn Wilkinson, executive director of the NEMHS Charitable Foundation, said the purchase was important because the chair currently used at the Poplar laboratory was worn out and unstable.

Several years ago, the Foundation Board of Directors approved the purchase of an upgraded chair for the Wolf Point laboratory. Board members believed the Poplar location needed the same improvement. With assistance from the Roosevelt County Community Foundation, the organization can make that purchase this year.

Wilkinson commended the Roosevelt County Community Foundation for supporting the community and, in particular, the Foundation’s funding requests on behalf of NEMHS.

“This group of local community members is always receptive to our requests and encourages us to apply for their annual grant allocations,” Wilkinson said. “We appreciate them.”

The NEMHS Charitable Foundation was established in 2006 to fund needs at Northeast Montana Health Services that cannot be covered by the medical facilities’ annual budgets.

At the beginning of each year, Wilkinson compiles a list of requests from the heads of various NEMHS departments and presents it to the Foundation’s board of directors. The board considers the urgency and importance of each request, along with the Foundation’s fundraising capabilities for the year.

After requests are approved, Wilkinson and the board develop a plan to raise the money needed for the purchases.

“That’s when the real work begins,” Wilkinson said. “The board and I have to get out there and ask our local businesses, neighbors, families and friends to help us out.”

The Foundation raises money through events, sponsorships, raffles, grants and donations from the public.

Upcoming fundraisers include Buck$ 4 Bras and Pink Drink Month in October, followed by the Festival of Trees in November and December.

This year marks the Foundation’s 20th anniversary. To celebrate, the nonprofit has been holding monthly raffles for prizes valued from $129 to $1,040. All 12 monthly winners will also be entered into a grand-prize drawing for a trip valued at more than $3,200.

“It’s a great final prize and a nice way to give our supporters a little something extra,” Wilkinson said.

The winner can choose a trip to Seattle, Denver, Las Vegas or Minneapolis. The package includes airfare for two from Billings, two nights of lodging, $250 in spending money and two tickets to a professional sporting event.

The winner may select a 2027 NFL, NBA, NHL, WNBA or MLB game. Those choosing Las Vegas may instead attend the 2027 National Finals Rodeo.

Monthly raffle tickets are available from board members Marjorie Youpee, Jonathon Thompson, Sandi Mason, Dolly Tattoo, Renee Goodman, Kelli Hackley, Ivy O’Connor and Tyrell Buckles.

The Northeast Montana Health Services Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that raises money to purchase items that improve the care and medical services offered by NEMHS.