HELENA, Mont. — Fall has arrived, and West Mont is ready for the season with pumpkins and, of course, their annual Harvest Day. But behind it all is a good cause, making an impact on those living with disabilities.
Hear from West Mont in the video below:
“It’s fun, it’s good, I like it here,” Erik Thompson said.
For Brandy Sheppard: “It makes me happy to grow tomatoes and veggies and everything like that.”
“I would say have fun, be excited for it, and jump for joy,” Saleena Davis added.
Those are just some of the messages the smiling faces of West Mont have to say about the importance of Harvest Day.
“The goal for our clients is for them to be able to show off their place and the work they have done and also just an opportunity to bring our clients together with the community,” said Jessie Obrecht, West Mont’s grants and development coordinator.
Around 40 West Mont clients help make Harvest Day possible, from growing the pumpkins to caring for the animals.
“I like the farm,” Thompson said. “I like the skills and everything because I get to learn a lot from tomatoes or something like that,” Sheppard said.
That work drives the mission forward.
“We want to create work opportunities so folks can build skills and get jobs out in the community,” Obrecht said.
Things are a little different this year due to a difficult farming season and the loss of a greenhouse due to wind damage and wear and tear that cost West Mont $100,000.
Despite the challenges, West Mont says there is a lot to expect from the festivities.
“Pretty much socializing, getting to see some people you have not seen for a while, and then I would have to say picking out a pumpkin for Halloween,” Davis said.
Harvest Day is free and open to the public. It all kicks off on Saturday at 10 a.m. and runs until 3 p.m. For more information, you can visit this link.
