Above photo: Broadwater's KC Betchie and Kellie Boedecker.
Carroll College has long been dedicated to giving back to the Helena community, which supports it so generously. One of the college’s most meaningful relationships is with its neighbor, Broadwater Elementary School. Over the years, this partnership has now blossomed into a mutually supportive bond, showcasing the power of community collaboration.
For many years, Dr. Kathy Gilboy from Carroll’s Education Department has led initiatives to support Broadwater Elementary students and families. These efforts include winter coat, clothing, and book drives, Adopt-a-Family programs for Christmas, Thanksgiving meals for families in need, and providing tutors, lunch buddies, and snacks during statewide testing to support both academic and social development. Carroll’s Education students regularly student-teach in Broadwater classrooms, while annual events like Halloween trick-or-treating on campus create lasting memories for both Broadwater students and the Carroll community. Dr. Gilboy also played a key role in helping the school secure a washer and dryer with the assistance of Director of Financial Aid Janet Riis, who coordinates the Angel Fund.
Additionally, Carroll’s student groups have brought unique experiences to Broadwater. During the pandemic, when their competitions moved online, the Talking Saints forensics team performed an outdoor presentation for fourth and fifth graders, and Carroll’s Anthrozoology students have taught safe dog etiquette, further enriching the partnership between the college and the elementary school.
While Carroll often takes the lead in supporting Broadwater, the tables turned this past December when the elementary school community gave back in a big way.
Carroll’s Fighting Saints Food Pantry, primarily managed currently by AmeriCorps member Amber Arizmendi, has become a critical resource for students, faculty, and staff facing food insecurity. Although Town Pump provides a generous annual grant to help stock the pantry, and partnerships with Van's Thriftway and Helena Food Share offer additional support, the pantry sought to expand its offerings to include household goods. Amber, inspired by a suggestion from Van’s General Manager Sara, reached out to Kathy Gilboy to initiate an initial introduction to Broadwater Elementary to propose a home goods drive.
Principal Kellie Boedecker and guidance counselor KC Betchie enthusiastically embraced the idea, and the Broadwater community quickly mobilized. In December, faculty, staff, and families filled donation boxes with items such as shampoo, dish soap, tissues, toothbrushes, and even hand towels. By the end of the drive, five full boxes of household essentials had been collected, significantly enhancing the pantry’s ability to meet the needs of Carroll’s community members.
“This was a beautiful example of reciprocity between our two schools,” said Amber. “The generosity of Broadwater Elementary has made a tangible difference for those in need at Carroll.”
The collaboration doesn’t end here. Plans are already underway to host a spring drive, building on the success of this effort and strengthening the partnership between Carroll and Broadwater.
The partnership between Carroll College and Broadwater Elementary is a testament to the strength of community connections. Carroll is grateful to the Broadwater staff, students, and families for their kindness and generosity. As Helena residents, we are fortunate to live in a community where neighbors step up to support one another, embodying the spirit of collaboration and care.
It truly does take a village, and together, Carroll College and Broadwater Elementary are building a brighter, more compassionate future for all.
About the Fighting Saints Food Pantry
Carroll College’s Fighting Saints Food Pantry was established by the Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) to combat food insecurity on campus. It operates discreetly, ensuring that anyone in the Carroll community—students, faculty, or staff—can access essentials without stigma. Open on the first and third Thursdays of each month, the pantry, located in the Hunthausen Activity Center, offers non-perishable goods, fresh items like eggs and milk, and now, thanks to Broadwater Elementary, a selection of household products.
On average, the pantry serves upwards of 40+ individuals per opening, highlighting its vital role on campus. It embodies Carroll’s mission of cura personalis, or care for the whole person, while also providing students with an opportunity to engage in service and develop empathy for others.