Arlee man’s donation fuels fundraiser
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ARLEE — Marvin Rehbein didn’t give the town of Hot Springs $50,000 towards a medical clinic because he wanted any recognition. He donated because he simply ‘likes the town.’ And his generosity was a boost financially and emotionally, according to Sharon Flesch, secretary of the fundraising committee for the Hot Springs Medical Clinic.
“We needed $200,000, and (Rehbein’s donation is) a quarter of it,” Flesch said. “It’s not typical … ordinarily that amount comes from grants.”
The Hot Springs Medical Clinic needs to raise almost $200,000 by the end of February to secure a $450,000 Community Development Block Grant that was awarded to help build the clinic. For months, the clinic has been holding a “Tired Iron” fundraiser that asked people to give their scrap metal to be hauled to Missoula in an effort to raise money. In early December, the fundraiser brought in $6,000. But organizers were still a long way from $200,000.
So Rehbein, founder of SK Construction and Riverside Construction in Missoula, donated $25,000, and then he gave $25,000 more.
And the prospect of building a brand new medical clinic became more realistic.
“It would be devastating,” Flesch said of potentially losing the clinic. She said residents would have to drive a 40-mile round trip; over two mountain passes, which is particularly dangerous during the winter months, to the nearest one in Plains. The Hot Springs Medical Clinic is a certified rural health clinic, which means it is located in a community that is both rural and underserved. After Rehbein’s gift the fundraising committee has seen an increase in donations taking them closer to their goal.
“We’re just really appreciative of all the publicity,” Flesch said. “If people want to donate but don’t have cash we are hauling iron and taking old jewelry donations. We’re trying to give people a sense of ownership even if they don’t have big bucks.”
