It is with immense joy we share the news that the 2011 Spirit of Christmas Concert raised $13,340 for Flathead CASA for Kids. That is the net amount after paying the expenses of producing the show. Penni Chisholm, one of the musicians and organizers, said, "Our hearts are humbled by the generosity of the community and we are over the moon with joy for the CASA Kids."

Pastor Dave Merkel together with other northwest Montana musicians took the stage for the 2011 Spirit of Christmas Concert at 6:30 pm on Thursday, December 15, 2011 at the Flathead High School Auditorium in Kalispell.

Merkel, a lifelong musician and a professional since the age of 13, was the featured musician on piano and occasional vocals. Joining him was pianist Penni Chisholm of Columbia Falls; a small combo of professional musicians from the area including Joel Knadler, Michael Atherton and Neil Batterson; the Columbia Falls United Methodist Church Choir; young singers Ava Chisholm and Charlotte Mack; performers Donald & Libby Torgerson; and four horn players made up of Bud Ridenour on trumpet, Tim Naples on trombone, Courtney VonLindern on alto sax, and Henry Chisholm on tenor sax.

            The Spirit of Christmas Concert, an annual Christmas tradition in the Flathead, was conceived with the goals of nurturing the Spirit of Christmas, building awareness of the plight of abused children in our community, and raising funds for non-profit organizations in northwest Montana. The concert was a benefit for Flathead CASA for Kids and the Food Banks in Kalispell, Whitefish, Columbia Falls and Bigfork.

The 2010 Spirit of Christmas Concert raised just over $8,000 for Flathead CASA for Kids. This year’s goal of $10,000 was eclipsed by the actual total raised. 

Merkel said, “Without our much-needed sponsors and donors the annual concert would simply not be possible at affordable ticket prices.” Sponsors included: Kalispell Toyota; Measure Law Office; Christensen, Moore, Cockrell, Cummings & Axelberg, PC; Glacier Bank; Daily Inter Lake; Judge Dan Wilson; Ogle & Worm, PLLP, Attorneys at Law; Flathead Beacon and others.

The CASA program trains volunteers to advocate for children who otherwise may be "lost in the system" or placed at the mercy of an overburdened system.  In the last year CASA for Kids served 197 children in our community and the number continues to grow.   CASA for Kids recruits, trains, and supervises volunteers who, one child at a time, make a difference in a child's life by investigating the child's circumstances, reporting to the Court, and staying by the child's side during their journey through the Court system.

The Spirit of Christmas Concert is a designated ministry project of the Columbia Falls United Methodist Church.

• Flathead CASA for Kids website
• View CASA's "I Am For the Child" video for more about who benefits from CASA.
• Spirit of Christmas Concert Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/SpiritOfChristmasConcert 
• Direct link to this web page: http://www.columbiafallsumc.org/spiritofchristmas