Gratitude: Families stepped into climate action during one tough year
What a year for Montana families: Navigating Covid safety and precautions while trying to work and support their kids’ learning; struggling to keep kids safely engaged despite summer heat, wildfire, and smoke; running businesses with staffing challenges, and unpredictable daycare and school situations; and some losing family and friends tragically to this new disease that has dominated all of our lives for nearly two years.
Yet, families of all kinds took time and turned out for climate events, bravely stepped into public action, or checked in with us to see how they could help. It was truly amazing.
We are very grateful for all the people who joined in our climate actions and community events this year: Folks who are part of our core team, like Michael and Annabelle (see videos below), and newlyweds Caroline and Phoebe, artists like Amy Coseo and Penélope Baquero and many others who contributed to #ourothermother last spring. We’re grateful for people like Tassia whose dedication to our core team is inspired to support the young people she cares for as a nurse; and all of our members who joined in when they we’re able (like attending our June Montana Families Climate Summit in Helena or joining our impromptu Climate Protector Ride) to connect with other families who care. We’re grateful for the brand-new parent allies and donors who reached out to support our work with surprise end-of-year gifts that will make a big difference to our efforts in 2022, and we appreciate those who are supporting the work of many of the other amazing climate-oriented groups in Montana (many of them are our partners!). This is what a movement looks like. Thank you for being part of it!
During our 68-degree days in early December, a few moms stopped me on the street to say, “This scares me. I’m overwhelmed, but I want to get involved.” My response was, “We are here for you! We welcome everyone.”
If you’re interested in getting involved: Join our email list to stay tuned as we launch new efforts and ways to volunteer in 2022, and if you’re able, donate to support our work. Thank you!
Climate Protector Ride
COP 26 rally
Image by Amy Coseo - #ourothermother campaign
Image by Penélope Baquero - #ourothermothercampaign