[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 158 (Tuesday, October 1, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1233]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





           RECOGNIZING ALLEN AND LINDA ERICKSON OF KALISPELL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GREG GIANFORTE

                               of montana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 1, 2019

  Mr. GIANFORTE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Allen and Linda 
Erickson of Kalispell for their commitment to local veterans, and their 
families, through the North West Montana Veterans Service Center.
  The nonprofit organization was born from Allen's vision to serve 
Montana veterans. He organized and executed a two-day event, Stand 
Down, to provide supplies and services to homeless veterans. The now 
annual Stand Down event led to the creation of the Veterans Service 
Center, which Allen founded and leads as president. The service center 
includes a food pantry, a thrift store, and medical equipment loans--
all tailored to serve veterans.
  Allen and Linda opened the Food Pantry in 2002 and have helped 
organize the community to provide over 156,000 pounds of food to those 
in need. They have helped provide food to over 2,000 veteran households 
and over 500 children.
  The Veterans Thrift Store provides services such as ``move in'' 
assistance, basic furniture, and seasonal clothing. The service center 
also includes access to shower and laundry facilities for homeless 
veterans in the community.
  In addition to the Stand Downs and the North West Montana Veterans 
Service Center, the Ericksons have been working on creating Camp 
Ponderosa Veterans Retreat. The live-in treatment facility will provide 
veterans with counseling and group therapy. Similar to the Stand Downs, 
the facility will offer a community for veterans battling homelessness 
to learn job skills and apply for jobs.
  The Ericksons have spent so much of their time dedicated to making 
this vision become a reality. With the help of countless volunteers and 
a generous anonymous donor, the camp will become a place for veterans 
to heal, recover, and rebuild.
  Madam Speaker, for their selfless work to provide greater opportunity 
for our veterans, I recognize Allen and Linda Erickson of Kalispell for 
their spirit of Montana.

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