Board Of Directors

Beth Baumstark

I volunteer with Santa Saks because I am compelled to reach out to the people in our community that are most at risk. I needed to break down some barriers that I had about people who are homeless. Working with Santa Saks is a tangible! It is personal- there is so much need and maybe my efforts with Santa Saks make it a bit easier for someone. The recipients have been so thankful and the joy in their eye is priceless.

My husband David and I are actively raising four girls. It is my goal to raise them to have compassion for all members of our community especially the poor. Working with Santa Saks as a family provides an opportunity for my girls to learn that volunteering is a necessity.

 

 

 

John Greytak

John Greytak founder of Santa Saks.

The idea of Santa Saks was formed back in 2004. My family and I were living in Winter Haven FL and our community was impacted by 3 hurricanes; Charlie, Francis and Gene. After 3 hurricanes, we were then impacted by tropical storm Ivan. The devastation was great, the impact far and wide; from missing roofs to in-passable roads, to major flooding. The swath of damage these four storms created was unbelievable and the need for help was even greater!
The community banded together, supplies finally arrived from neighboring states, power was eventually restored and slowly the waters retreated. But we saw people who one day had a safe, beautiful home, and the next day they were homeless. That’s when it really hit me. Most of these people would eventually get insurance settlements and or relief from FEMA and then they would rebuild. The process was slow, but it was Florida. The weather wasn’t severe, the situation was temporary. But what if the situation wasn’t temporary? What if there is no insurance check or FEMA settlement? What if it wasn’t Florida, where the weather is usually nice, but if it was up north where the winters are cold and harsh?
So when my family moved back to Montana we wanted to help our homeless neighbors. We wanted to actually be directly involved with the effort, very hands on. At first we handed out old suitcases, full of no longer worn ski coats, sweaters etc. we handed these out during the holiday season as a life lesson to our children on how the spirit of the holidays is actually about giving.
Well, we underestimated the impact of how moving this experience would be. Handing out items of need to the homeless, looking in their eyes, seeing that someone was taking the time to recognize their needs, that impact is why Santa Saks was formed.

 

Maggie Greytak

Maggie Greytak founder of Santa Saks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Art Hightower

Art Hightower board member of Santa Saks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brenda Wilkins

Brenda Wilkins board member of Santa Saks

 

 

 

Santa Saks 1005 S.W. Higgins Missoula, MT 59803 406-728-9101 www.santasaks.org