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Ronan prepares for its first trunk-or-treat event

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RONAN — Kids in the Ronan area will be able to enjoy a “trunk-or-treat” on Halloween this year on the lawn of Glacier Bank.

Organized by Mission Mountain Holdings, Operations Coordinator Bryla Jones said it came together because they wanted a safe way to give out candy as a business. 

“We’re on (Highway) 93, so we were concerned about kids coming by the building on that corner,” Jones explained. “I’m from Wyoming, and we used to do a lot of Trunk-or-Treats where I’m from, so I said maybe we could do (that). Then it just kind of snowballed from there.”

On top of being a safe Halloween event for local kids, proceeds from the trunk-or-treat will be donated to the local 4-H club. “We decided we wanted to make it a non-profit (event), so our business is committing to $1,000,” Jones explained. “I budgeted for about $2,000 (to make it happen), but everybody’s been so generous and it’s been so great that I’m coming in really under budget … so pretty much everything that everybody’s going to give us goes directly to 4-H. We’re really excited about that … we’re excited to see what (4-H) wants to do with the money.”

So far, the event has about 15 trunks planned from businesses that have signed up so far and more are expected by Halloween day. Businesses that donate at least $100 get a shoutout on the trunk-or-treat Facebook page linked by the Ronan Chamber of Commerce and those that donate at least $250 will have their logo on a banner hung at the event. 

While other towns in the county have trunk-or-treats, such as the New Life Church Trunk-or-Treat in Polson, this will be the first within Ronan as far as organizers are aware. 

“It’s been so great. I’m not originally from Ronan, so I think it’s just been such a great experience,” Jones said. “I’ve got to meet a lot of different business owners and it’s just amazing to watch all of the businesses come together … We’ve already raised over $1,700 and it’s just kind of blown me away at the generosity of the businesses and how receptive people have been.”

In addition to funds, some businesses have helped by donating incentives to help raise more money for 4-H. Rocky Mountain Signworks, for instance, is donating the banner on which sponsors will have their logos printed. Anderson Broadcasting is also donating half the ad spots organizers are using for the event, some of which they’ll use to shout out to those who have donated.

Mission Mountain Holdings will have hot chocolate, cider and water for everyone on Halloween. A large gift basket worth about $100 will be up for winning for whoever can guess the number of candies in a jar. There will also be a contest for the best decorated trunk with the winner receiving donuts and coffee (donated by Jones herself) delivered to their office. 

While only businesses are participating so far, Jones said she would be open to individuals participating as well. To learn more about how to get involved, call Jones at 406-880-6669 or email her at: bryla@mission-mountain.com. The event will start at 4 p.m. on Oct. 31.

“We wanted to do something little kids could come to,” Jones commented. “I’ve been wanting to figure out ways to kind of get into the community and 4-H has been one thing I really wanted to support but don’t actually know that much about, so it’s just kind of turned into this huge thing I’m passionate about … We definitely want to make this an annual thing.” 

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