Local foster grandparent honored for volunteer service
courtesy photo
Charlotte Gaustad
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News from the Governor’s Office
MONTANA – Governor Steve Bullock, First Lady Lisa Bullock and the Montana Commission on Community Service recognized the 2017 recipients of the ServeMontana Awards on Friday, June 2.
“It’s an incredible honor to recognize some of the outstanding citizens who embody the strong spirit of service that runs deep in Montana,” Governor Bullock said. “Service to Montana and to our country is a commitment to the greater good. From high school students to retired veterans, these Montanans are the lifeline of our communities and set an example of the greatness that we can and all should be.”
The ServeMontana Awards are presented annually to outstanding community volunteers and organizations for their service to Montana. Almost 60 Montana individuals and organizations were nominated by the public this year for the award. Final award recipients were selected by the Montana Commission on Community Service.
Among the seven ServeMontana Award recipients is Charlotte Gaustad of Polson. Charlotte has served as a Foster Grandparent mentor for 17 years. As one of the 3 Senior Corps programs, Foster Grandparents are placed with students who need mentoring and additional instruction outside of the classroom.
During her nearly 2 decades of service, Charlotte has mentored hundreds of elementary children in Polson, Cherry Valley and Linderman schools. Known as Grandma G, she has volunteered over 13,000 hours and has no intention of slowing down.
According to Charlotte, “knowing that I am going to school every day is why this 80-years-young woman gets up every morning.”
