Woolen Hemp Mill, Hi-Line Kitchen Host EMS/EMT fundraiser and BBQ

It was a beautiful day for a BBQ on Saturday when Malta’s newest business, Woolen Hemp Mill, and Hi-Line Kitchen, and many other local businesses teamed up to raise over $2,500 for Malta’s Emergency Medical Services and Technicians.

Thayne and Michelle Mackey know more than most how important Emergency Medical Services are in Phillips County. It’s been four years since Thayne lost his left hand while working at his wool mill, and just last month their son Oren suffered serious injuries while competing in a rodeo. “That’s just first and the last ones,” said Thayne. “We are boycotting September.”

“As someone who has had the misfortune of being in the back of an ambulance elsewhere, I can tell you how lucky we are to have this group of people to take care of us,” Michelle added.

Thanks to our dedicated medical personnel, everyone is doing just fine. When asked how Oren was healing, Mackey reports that while it will take some time to be 100%, his recovery is going faster than expected. “Even with the extra titanium, he looks great. But, he always did look just like me.”

Event Coordinator Misty Murdick, stated, “It’s so important that emergency services remain strong. The BBQ is a fun way to give back to the community of first responders that are always there for us, and put up with some really tough working conditions.”

The event also served as opening day for Woolen Hemp, explained founder John Porterfield, who is reopening Montana’s largest multi-fiber mill to serve Montana’s wool and hemp growers. “Malta, Montana is part of the future of natural sustainable textiles, building, and energy,” he noted. “We are delighted to be leading the charge with this first-of-its-kind wool and hemp mill textiles mills in America.”

In addition to Woolen Hemp and Hi-Line Kitchen, other event sponsors included KMMR, Hi-Line Packing, Blue Ridge Brewery, River Bend Ice, Napa, Art’s Furniture, Malta Tire, the local Hutterite colonies, Radio Shack, Pandora’s Treasure, Farmers & Ranchers, Montana Grow, CHS, Westside, Hardware Hank, Albertson’s, as well as local individuals and volunteers.

Porterfield encourages everyone to check out the selection of woolen hemp blended housewares at http://www.woolenhemp.com. As an added bonus, customers who enter the code EMT will receive 10% off, and 37% of each sale will be donated to the Malta EMS and EMTs.

“This is the perfect place to introduce Montanan grown woolen hemp products to the nation and we are proud to host a fundraiser for the Phillips County ES/EMT’s on our opening day as a special way to say thank you!” stated Porterfield.

Thayne chuckled, “We aren’t done yet, either. The wife already has me at work planting a pumpkin patch for next year’s event.”