Dig It Days presented checks to several local non-profits. Jonathan McNiven, Yellowstone County News, (left) presented a check for $7500 to Michelle Cohens of Sletten Construction, President of the Education Foundation for MCA and Hailee Olsen, Workforce Director for MCA. He also presented a $3500 check to Brian Dennis, President and CEO of Boys and Girls Club of Yellowstone County, who stands on the far right next to Evelyn Pyburn, Yellowstone County News.
Each year proceeds from Dig It Days are disbursed to local worthwhile causes in the community – most of all for scholarships for young people planning to enter the building and construction trades. This week some of the proceeds from last year’s event were presented to a number of local organizations.
For Yellowstone Family and Yellowstone County News, who produces the event, Dig It Days is meant to be a time for family fun and education while connecting industry professionals with kids, adults and career seekers. Any revenues generated are donated to organizations which exist to support, in some manner, families in the community.
This year, Dig It Days will be held at MontanaFair on Friday and Saturday, August 16 and 17, 2024. Sponsored by dozens of local equipment dealers and contractors and others involved with the construction industry, the event, which is totally free, features all kinds of big equipment and machines for kids to explore – and to even operate a backhoe.
This past week, at a small gathering at RDO Equipment in Billings, a check for $7500 to fund scholarships, was presented to Build Montana, which functions under the auspices of the Montana Contractors Association (MCA). Jonathan McNiven, publisher of the Yellowstone County News, presented the check to Hailee Olsen, Workforce Director for MCA, and Michelle Cohens of Sletten Construction, who is President of the Education Foundation for MCA.
Many members of MCA help sponsor Dig It Days, in addition to providing the static displays and the manpower needed to set them up and monitor them during the two-day event.
Brian Dennis, President and CEO of the Boys’ and Girls’ Club of Yellowstone County, was also on hand to accept a check for $3,500. The Boys’ and Girls’ Club provides after-school programs for young people. During Dig It Days they oversee a group of volunteers who apply “tattoos” for the kids, adding to the fun of it all.
Sheriff Mike Linder (left) accepts $5000 contribution from Dig It Days for the Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association. Also pictured presenting the check are Evelyn Pyburn and Jonathan McNiven from the Yellowstone County News, who as part of Yellowstone Family, produce Dig It Days. (courtesy photo)
Sheriff Mike Linder accepted a check for the Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association for $5000. The Sheriff’s office brings in their helicopter when possible to Dig It Days for kids to inspect and explore as they learn about law enforcement. Its arrival is always a highlight of the event.
Dig It Days also made a donation of $1000 to the Veterans’ Navigation Network.
All activities at Dig It Days, which is held the last two days of MontanaFair, are free; and this year MontanaFair is making entrance to the fair possible by getting free passes from Dig It Days sponsors.
Each day, attendees to Dig It Days will receive a free t-shirt including adults. A total of $1,500 t-shirts will be given away.
Many static displays of big construction and other kinds of vehicles and equipment are available for kids to “drive,” climb on, inspect, and take pictures on. Also, thanks to the donated time of several sponsors, kids of all ages have the opportunity to operate a real backhoe or excavator. Dig It Days at MontanaFair has turned out to be a big community give back day for all those who attend. In fact, this year, more $$$ is going to be given away for attendees each day.
And, of course, there is the attraction of Sand Mountain, which kids can dig in and play on to their heart’s content. Sand Mountain always has treasures hidden away for some lucky explorers to win prizes.
All of this is made possible by Dig It Days sponsors, so please tell them “thank you” when the opportunity presents itself. Some of the sponsors of Dig It Days include: RDO Equipment Company, NorthWestern Energy, Montana Contractors Association, Montana Equipment Dealers Association, Montana 811 – Call Before You Dig, Yellowstone County News, Big Sky Business Journal, Signal Peak Energy, NTEC/Spring Creek Mine, CHS, Inc – Laurel Refinery, Front Range Pipeline LLC,, Cenex Pipeline LLC, Tri-State Truck & Equipment, Inc, Billings Construction Supply, Billings Towing, Action Toys, Tractor and Equipment, Montana Tech, (School of Mines and Engineering), Montana State University – Northern, Sletten Construction, Broadreach Power, Modern Machinery, Montana-Dakota Utilities (MDU), WBI Energy, Arnold Machinery, Equipment Share, T & E (Tractor & Equipment), MT Department of Transportation (MDT), Torgersons/Case IT, Par Montana (Formerly ExxonMobil) , Pacific Steel & Recycling, ONEOK, Westmoreland Mining Company, Croell , Askin Construction, and Montana National Guard.
For more information and up to date news on Dig It Days. visit www.digitdays.org or click here for this year’s 2024 info.
