Montana Qwest Employees "Construct" Ways to Play for Boys & Girls Club of Missoula

Boys & Girls Clubs across the country seek to “build” confidence, responsibility and positive attitudes with the children they serve. And for the past four out of five years, Missoula-based Qwest employees and retirees have “manufactured” ways to “assemble” needed funds to accomplish those goals.

The Qwest employees and retirees have teamed to design and construct playhouses—each with a specific theme—that are then sold during the annual Playhouses and Pet Palaces Auction, with the money raised being donated to the Boys & Girls Club of Missoula. To date, Qwest employees have raised more than $9,000 for their local Club and in so doing, have helped build new ways for the Club to reach kids.

“As Qwest employees, we not only take pride in our day-to-day work, but also in our efforts to give back to our communities,” said Loree Dark, Qwest senior design engineer and head of the playhouse-build team. “We are fortunate to have a group of employees and retirees here in Missoula who put their talents to incredible use on the job and off.”

This year’s playhouse was named “The Spirit of Adventure” and won the “best craftsmanship” award at Southgate Mall before it was auctioned at the end of June. Previous years’ playhouses have been themed “Lookout,” “Cabin Fever”—built to simulate an actual mountain cabin—and “Fort Qwest”—a two-story fort that included a hatch door to climb into the second story. The playhouses are built of wood and are sturdy enough for children to play in and around them.

The Missoula Qwest employees and retirees’ volunteer efforts were recently rewarded by the Qwest Foundation, which gave them a $1,000 “Good News Grant” for their community service actions. The grant will be awarded to the Boys & Girls Club of Missoula.