Neptune Aviation Services, based in Missoula, Montana, has been supplying P2V air tankers to the wildland fire community for 17 years. Despite having lost two air tankers and six of their employees in crashes over a 7-month period in 2008 and 2009, they still think of others and routinely donate to charities.

This year is no exception. The company has given $22,000 to the Poverello Center in Missoula, an organization that provides “food, shelter, help, and hope” for the homeless and at-risk families and children.

Here is an excerpt from an article by Jamie Kelly in the Missoulian:

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Each month, Ellie Hill opens up the Pov’s NorthWestern Energy bill like everyone else in Missoula, but it’s a good bet that the check she writes is bigger than yours.

Those 12 heating bills this year added up to $22,000.

Poverello Center, Ryman St. facility

That is a large stack of money, especially during a recession, for an agency that relies heavily on donations. In last Saturday’s Missoulian, Hill mentioned the Pov’s need in the newspaper’s “We Care” column.

Neptune Aviation saw it. And got out the checkbook. And made out the check for $22,000.

“This donation literally comes at no better time for the Pov,” said Hill, who was taken aback by the gesture. “As you know, with the economic crisis, the demand on our services is totally unprecedented, but financial contributions are down.”

The board of Neptune Aviation, which annually gives thousands to local charities, quickly agreed that the Poverello

Center’s need would be fulfilled.

“We’re just so touched by this community and what they’ve done for us personally and professionally,” said Neptune president Kristen Nicolarsen.

The donation is being made in memory of Nicolarsen’s mother, Jo Rainbolt, who died three years ago and all her life “never turned anyone away,” said Nicolarsen.

Rainbolt, a former Missoulian reporter, was also a philanthropist, artist and lover of nature.

It has not been the easiest year for Neptune Aviation. Last April, Neptune, which employs around 90 people, lost three of its crew members in a plane crash in Utah. Seven months earlier, three others were killed in a crash in Nevada.

Neptune provides air tankers to battle wildfires across the nation.

Four years ago, the federal government grounded Neptune planes, and it was the Missoula community and Montana’s congressional delegation who came to the company’s defense.

“The community is the reason we’re still here,” said Nicolarsen. “We feel like we can’t do enough for this state and especially this community.”

“Their generosity epitomized the spirit of Christmas,” said Hill. “It’ll keep the heat and the lights on for the elderly, poor and out-of-work families, and the homeless.”

Thanks Dick