FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Kevi Berger

01/23/2023 406-926-2522
kevib@fchwmt.org

Missoulians to showcase talent at Missoula’s Talent on Ice fundraiser

Foundation for Community Health invites community to new and unique event

Missoula, MT — Foundation for Community Health (FCH), a local nonprofit organization

providing health education and support resources in western Montana, invites the community
to attend the first annual Missoula’s Talent on Ice on Friday, January 27 at 7PM at Glacier Ice
Rink. The event features the talents of Missoulians and will raise funds to provide vital health
education and resources through FCH’s outreach, assistance, and scholarship programs.

For 10 years, FCH raised funds for health needs through the Community Cup Hockey Benefit
in partnership with Dr. Tim and Tonda Richards and Glacier Ice Rink. Nearly $130,000 was
raised for oncology patients, injury prevention, trauma education, patient lodging, and more
to advance healthy lives for western Montanans. Last year, FCH hosted the final Community
Cup, celebrating a decade of supporting friends and neighbors on their health journey.

In looking for a new and family-friendly opportunity to encourage community support of its
programs, FCH has organized Missoula’s Talent on Ice.

“The Community Cup was always a really fun way for the community to engage with the
Foundation and learn about our work and we wanted to continue that,” said FCH Executive
Director, Kira Huck. “Our Program and Engagement Manager proposed a talent show on ice,
similar to the ice capades, and we felt that would be an entertaining and unique way to bring
people together for the good of western Montana health needs.”

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Missoula’s Talent on Ice features skating, comedy, musical performances, magic and more.
The variety of talent acts are all put on by western Montana locals. Jill Valley will provide
commentary for the event and Drive Safe Missoula coordinator, Steve Schmidt, will serve as
the Master of Ceremonies. In addition to the performances, the event features door prizes,
raffles prizes, and an online auction with a variety of trips, baskets, gift cards, experiences, and
more up for grabs.

All proceeds from the event will support FCH’s education and support programs, including
Safe Kids Missoula, its Be Sun Smart skin cancer and melanoma awareness education, high
school and professional development healthcare scholarships, patient assistance grants, and
more.

Huck says that support of these programs—especially its patient assistance grants which
provide need-based financial support for care-related costs of western Montana breast health
and oncology patients —is crucial this year.

“We have seen a dramatic increase in requests to our Ava Nicole Breast Health Fund and
Community Oncology Patient Fund this year,” said Huck. “We have received and awarded
more assistance grants in the first six months of our fiscal year than we did in our entire
previous fiscal year. The need is there, and we want to ensure this support continues to be
available for western Montanans.”

The goal is to raise at least $10,000 in the event’s first year. Community members can purchase
tickets for the event at fchwmt.org/talent-on-ice. Tickets are $5 for ages 3 to 12, $10 for ages 13
and older, and $25 for a family of four or more. Admission for children under age 3 is free.
Community members can also participate in the event’s online auction. The online auction is
open through January 29 and can be viewed at fchwmt.org/talent-on-ice. FCH will have a
small selection of auction prizes available for viewing at the event.

For more information about Missoula’s Talent on Ice, or to make a donation, contact FCH at
406.926.2522 or email foundation@fchwmt.org.

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About Foundation for Community Health

Foundation for Community Health engages western Montanans in health education and
support to advance healthy lives through the gifts of donors, partners, and volunteers.
Through collaborative, action-based prevention education, grant-making, and outreach, FCH
ensures western Montanans have access to health and safety resources. Efforts include high
school and professional development healthcare scholarships, leadership of Safe Kids
Missoula and Safe Kids Montana, Be Sun Smart skin cancer and melanoma awareness, patient
care and comfort support, and a health grants program. Learn more at fchwmt.org.