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12/01/2025
Here’s how you can help this holiday season
Local nonprofits and institutions are stepping up to help the community during the holiday season. Of note: A big one for the Helena community, Giving Tuesday, is this upcoming Tuesday, Dec. 2.
GivingTuesday is a “global generosity movement’ that many nonprofit organizations across the community participate in this time of year. “Giving” ranges from cash donations to volunteering, advocacy and other acts of kindness and is how organizations often kick off their end-of-year fundraising campaigns. Visit your favorite local charity’s website to see how you can help. GivingTuesday has no official registration and is designed to be open and flexible, allowing participating organizations to continue advocating for support long after the day has passed.
Of course, other worthy organizations in the community are also working to help people in need. Here are a few, and how you can contribute:
- The United Way of the Lewis and Clark Area is addressing homelessness by providing transitional and permanent supportive housing through its Housing First campaign, while also collaborating with other community partners. This winter, the nonprofit is part of Helena Holiday Helpers, a group of local agencies, including the Salvation Army, Toys for Tots, God’s Love Shelter and the Cathedral of St. Helena’s Christmas Giving Tree, which provide holiday food, meals and toys. (Applications for children in need of a holiday toy are due soon. Information can be found here.) United Way participates in GivingTuesday, and its donation page can be found on its website here.
- Good Samaritan Ministries also focuses on providing housing assistance by supporting rent, utilities, transportation and other essential living expenses. In addition, GMS operates Our Place, a support program for those experiencing addiction and behavioral challenges. GSM partnered with the local Buffalo Wild Wings to raise funds. Those who want to participate can ask their server to donate 15% of their food bill to the organization. The fundraiser will take place Monday, Dec. 15, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. GSM also accepts monetary donations on its website, as well as household donations at its thrift store, 3067 N. Montana Ave.
- Non-profit Amy’s Mess helps identify and feed local students and their families throughout the community through donations and volunteer cooks. Amy’s Mess is still in need of volunteers to help cook meals after the holiday season ends, especially with the onset of colder weather. Those interested in donating or signing up to cook can contact the organization through its website.
- Helena Public Schools has established a Community Corner website to provide families impacted by the recent government shutdown with access to food pantries and other resources. Additionally, District Superintendent Rex Weltz has also encouraged donations of clothing. If a student needs winter gear, they should contact their school’s counseling department, which typically has a stock of clothing available for distribution.
- The Helena Food Share food bank provides free grocery items to the Helena area and neighboring county communities and has seen a 28% increase in the number of new households using its services since last year. While donations are welcome year-round, the food share is hosting its annual Turkey Challenge, in which people can donate $30 or $60 online to cover the costs of a turkey, ham and sides needed for a holiday meal.
- The Friendship Center is a shelter that houses individuals experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking in Lewis and Clark and neighboring counties. The center is participating in Giving Tuesday, and donations can be made on the organization’s website.
- Family Promise of Greater Helena provides shelter to families with children and is currently constructing a new 14-room shelter location. Vendor fees from the Helena Winter Market will be used to support the organization. The market will be held at First Christian Church, 311 Power St., on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Family Promise also accepts donations on its website and is currently seeking additional volunteers. Those interested in helping can contact the nonprofit at (406) 465-9467 or email [email protected].
- The Helena Area Community Foundation offers grants, workshops and other forms of support to local nonprofits, primarily through its annual fundraising campaign, Greater Helena Gives, held in the spring. The foundation accepts several forms of monetary donations. You can learn more here.
Public Notice
The city of Helena’s administration offices and municipal court will be closed Thursday, Nov. 27, and Friday, Nov. 28, for the Thanksgiving holiday. The transfer station will also be closed on Thursday, but will reopen Friday. Those who have their trash picked up on Thursdays will need to have their container out by 7 a.m. on Friday.
Helena nonprofits YWCA Helena, The Friendship Center, Good Samaritan Ministries and United Way of the Lewis and Clark Area will host Helena’s annual Longest Night Memorial, a night honoring those who died due to homelessness, on Sunday, Dec. 21. The memorial, meant also to raise awareness of the city’s homelessness crisis, will be held at Women’s Park, 500 Fuller Ave., beginning at 4:30 p.m.
5 (Holiday) Things to Know in Helena
The city’s parks and recreation department is offering to send local children postcards from Santa (shhh). “Letters to Santa” — make sure to include a return address — can be dropped off in red mailboxes at the City-County Building’s information desk, 316 N. Park Ave., Memorial Ice Rink, 5 Memorial Dr., and at the Civic Center main entrance, 340 Neill Ave. Letters will be accepted until Sunday, Dec. 21. Postcards thanking the child with a message of being on the nice list will then be mailed back. Participants can also sign up for the Santa mail online with the city here.
East Helena will hold its 2025 Christmas Stroll and arts & craft show Thursday, Dec. 4, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Vendors can be found at several locations, including City Hall, 306 E. Main St., East Helena Library, 16 E. Main St., Missouri River Brewing Co., 451 Spencer Ct., and Galaxy Roasting, 10 W. Main St. Free transportation will be available between vendors’ locations. The stroll will also include a kid-friendly activities tent on Main Street, live music, a Christmas tree raffle and a visit from Santa Claus. Visit the event’s website here for more information.
Helena’s Holiday MADE Fair is back Friday, Dec. 5, and Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Lewis and Clark Fairgrounds, 98 W. Custer Ave. Hosted by handMADE Montana, the fair will feature more than 170 local and regional artists. While the fair offers free admission from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., VIP tickets are available for $10 on Friday evening from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and early bird tickets are available for $5 on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
The Last Chance Trolley will begin booking its holiday light tour starting Thursday, Dec. 1. The trolley will tour holiday light displays throughout Helena neighborhoods, with Mrs. Claus as the tour guide. Complimentary Christmas treats and an ornament will be provided to passengers. Individual tickets cost $30, and children’s tickets are $20. Renting the entire trolley is $700. Note that only a limited number of dates for the trolley will be available in December. To check availability, visit the trolley website here.
East Helena’s second annual Christmas Convoy will be rolling through town on Saturday, Dec. 13. Festive, lit-up trucks will parade through the East Helena area from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The route will start at Montana Materials on Lake Helena Drive and go through Main Street, Wylie Drive and Canyon Ferry Road before returning to Montana Materials. Residents are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy the convoy.
Comings and Goings
Coming: Anderson Development LLC has proposed building two new residential buildings and a one-story commercial building at 415 Fuller Ave., which was formerly a Wells Fargo bank, according to city documents. The development plans include additional commercial spaces on the first floor of the residential buildings, as well as parking garages and tenant parking. The application request will be heard during a Board of Adjustment meeting Monday, Dec. 2.
Coming: Fast food chain Chick-fil-A may finally be opening at 2770 N. Washington St., in Helena, following several years of permitting struggles. According to an IR report, the business first applied to the city to establish the restaurant in 2023 at a different location. While the chain now has a permit in hand, there is no timeline yet for its opening, the IR reported.
