Community Commitments
Financial Contribution
I carry clear memories of times in my life when I relied on social assistance (food stamps and food donation programs) to meet basic needs. Those chapters of my life shaped my perspective, instilling perseverance, humility, grit, resilience, and a deep appreciation for stability.
Those experiences continue to influence how I approach my work, art, and responsibilities. They’ve strengthened my creativity, adaptability, and sense of presence — qualities that inform both my life and my work as an actor.
Because of this background, community support has remained important to me. I value organizations that provide practical, dignified assistance to individuals and families here in Montana who are navigating challenging circumstances.
In the face of ongoing global and local hardship, I remain committed to contributing consistently. I currently support both Food Share and Montana Energy Share through monthly giving.
For those who feel called to engage in their own communities, there are many meaningful ways to do so — through time, skills, or financial support — each offering real impact during uncertain periods.
Additional information about the organizations I support is shared below for anyone who wishes to learn more.
(Click/tap on images for Helena Food Share or Energy Share of Montana below to go to each website)
I carry clear memories of times in my life when I relied on social assistance (food stamps and food donation programs) to meet basic needs. Those chapters of my life shaped my perspective, instilling perseverance, humility, grit, resilience, and a deep appreciation for stability.
Those experiences continue to influence how I approach my work, art, and responsibilities. They’ve strengthened my creativity, adaptability, and sense of presence — qualities that inform both my life and my work as an actor.
Because of this background, community support has remained important to me. I value organizations that provide practical, dignified assistance to individuals and families here in Montana who are navigating challenging circumstances.
In the face of ongoing global and local hardship, I remain committed to contributing consistently. I currently support both Food Share and Montana Energy Share through monthly giving.
For those who feel called to engage in their own communities, there are many meaningful ways to do so — through time, skills, or financial support — each offering real impact during uncertain periods.
Additional information about the organizations I support is shared below for anyone who wishes to learn more.
(Click/tap on images for Helena Food Share or Energy Share of Montana below to go to each website)
Volunteering Time and Talents
Volunteering my time and talent helps me stay grounded in gratitude and appreciation. I share a wide-open heart smile and encouraging words with people from many walks of life, doing what I can to help improve daily life for others.
For quite a few years, I volunteered at the local Food Share, bagging groceries for individuals and families in need. I’ve also supported the Kid Pack drive that takes place twice a year; it's an effort that helps provide food for children who don’t always have enough for breakfast or lunches. You need food in your belly to learn and grow.
I continue to support through volunteering efforts at their annual Empty Bowls event. Ceramic bowls are donated by the many local artisans along with handcrafted soups of many kinds. All proceeds from this event benefit the Helena Food Share's mission.
For quite a few years, I volunteered at the local Food Share, bagging groceries for individuals and families in need. I’ve also supported the Kid Pack drive that takes place twice a year; it's an effort that helps provide food for children who don’t always have enough for breakfast or lunches. You need food in your belly to learn and grow.
I continue to support through volunteering efforts at their annual Empty Bowls event. Ceramic bowls are donated by the many local artisans along with handcrafted soups of many kinds. All proceeds from this event benefit the Helena Food Share's mission.
I was interviewed for the "Pantry Times" "...giving is sharing my heart." -Mary Riitano
(The interview is available to read by clicking/tapping the "Pantry Times" image below and scrolling to the second page)
For the past six years, I’ve also joined a dedicated team of volunteers working to expand the trail system for hiking and mountain biking in and around Helena, Montana. The work is hands-on — cutting, digging, and finishing trails — and it’s a joy to begin with nothing more than pink flags marking a potential trail through the woods, and then, over time, watch that trail slowly take shape through steady effort with pickaxes, shovels, and McLeod tools.
These ongoing trail-building efforts are organized by the Prickly Pear Land Trust, an organization devoted to inspiring connection to landscapes, wildlife, water, and recreation through thoughtful conservation and land stewardship.
These ongoing trail-building efforts are organized by the Prickly Pear Land Trust, an organization devoted to inspiring connection to landscapes, wildlife, water, and recreation through thoughtful conservation and land stewardship.
Guest Speaker & Facilitator
Sharing what I’ve learned and the experiences I’ve gathered along the way is something I value deeply, as it enriches everyone’s shared bank of knowledge and perspective.
I was invited by a friend to serve as a volunteer guest speaker at the second annual fundraiser for Merlin, a community organization centered on thoughtful conversation and connection. The evening focused on the theme “Arts, Science, and Imagination,” and it was a wonderful experience engaging with curious minds and participating in lively, meaningful dialogue.
I was honored to be asked by the Founder, Director, and Community Philosopher, Marisa Diaz-Waian, to facilitate one of the group table talks. Her fervor, zest, and dedication to bringing people from varied backgrounds together for meaningful relationships has been reshaping connectivity within our town.
The event was a success, raising $4,142 in support of the community and Merlin’s ongoing work. I’m grateful to have been part of an evening rooted in curiosity, collaboration, and shared learning.
Click/tap on the Food for Thought image above to go the website and check out the event
I was invited by a friend to serve as a volunteer guest speaker at the second annual fundraiser for Merlin, a community organization centered on thoughtful conversation and connection. The evening focused on the theme “Arts, Science, and Imagination,” and it was a wonderful experience engaging with curious minds and participating in lively, meaningful dialogue.
I was honored to be asked by the Founder, Director, and Community Philosopher, Marisa Diaz-Waian, to facilitate one of the group table talks. Her fervor, zest, and dedication to bringing people from varied backgrounds together for meaningful relationships has been reshaping connectivity within our town.
The event was a success, raising $4,142 in support of the community and Merlin’s ongoing work. I’m grateful to have been part of an evening rooted in curiosity, collaboration, and shared learning.
Click/tap on the Food for Thought image above to go the website and check out the event
Volunteer Performance & Historical Preservation
Another one of my favorite volunteer projects was the Benton Avenue Cemetery restoration. After the historic cemetery was vandalized, many grave sites and headstones required extensive repair by specialists trained in traditional stone-cutting methods used during that time period.
To help support the restoration efforts, the Montana Historical Society invited community volunteers and cast a small group of actors to participate in a fundraising storytelling event. Each actor portrayed a person who had been buried at the cemetery, helping bring local history back to life.
Guests were given a map and invited to walk through the grounds, stopping at various headstones where we delivered monologues in character — sharing the stories of those laid to rest there. Admission to the event directly supported the repairs needed to restore the site.
Pictured is my character, Fannie Mae Spencer, a lady of the evening — a woman whose story reflected the complexity of life and survival during that era, and whose voice was honored through memory and storytelling.
Photo courtesy: Tim Holmes
Gratitude
Modeling, Film & Theatre Photographers: Dennis Dorr, Stan Smith, Tim Holmes, AnnellaJo Perry, Deb Hoffert, Allie Hoffert, Dena Carlin, Kailey Portsmouth, Nikki Baker.
Thank you to my dad in heaven, who kept the wheels of our family cars rolling and shared so much joy while he was still alive. He was one of the main pillars of our family — with a joyful spirit and a gift for fixing anything that was broken.
Special thanks to the creative friends who continue to inspire me: Melissa Riitano, Rachel Riitano, Caz McGovern-Score, Jenna Ciralli, Tashia Gates, Sarah Elkins, Christine Horn, Crystal Carson, Jo Kelly, Brock Forrette, Bryan Ferriter, Ryan Pfeiffer, Chris Hoffert, and Meg McWhinney. You are amazing! Thank you for the support, opportunities, and for pushing me forward.
To Jason Rogers and Tina Buckingham — thank you for helping me learn about the business and for believing in me.
I deeply appreciate the support from some of my favorite people: Melissa, Rachel, Roz, Terry, Betty, Ken, Diane, Rinnan, Karlee, Mike, Tom, Heidi, Christine, Sanna, my mom Joanne, Marty, Quincey, Christel, Candice, Stephanie, Ciara, John, Marsha, Pat, Ryan, the table of wisdom at the Blackfoot Brewery - and fans who have been generous supporting my work and growth and who continue to cheer me on. xoxo
Thank you to my dad in heaven, who kept the wheels of our family cars rolling and shared so much joy while he was still alive. He was one of the main pillars of our family — with a joyful spirit and a gift for fixing anything that was broken.
Special thanks to the creative friends who continue to inspire me: Melissa Riitano, Rachel Riitano, Caz McGovern-Score, Jenna Ciralli, Tashia Gates, Sarah Elkins, Christine Horn, Crystal Carson, Jo Kelly, Brock Forrette, Bryan Ferriter, Ryan Pfeiffer, Chris Hoffert, and Meg McWhinney. You are amazing! Thank you for the support, opportunities, and for pushing me forward.
To Jason Rogers and Tina Buckingham — thank you for helping me learn about the business and for believing in me.
I deeply appreciate the support from some of my favorite people: Melissa, Rachel, Roz, Terry, Betty, Ken, Diane, Rinnan, Karlee, Mike, Tom, Heidi, Christine, Sanna, my mom Joanne, Marty, Quincey, Christel, Candice, Stephanie, Ciara, John, Marsha, Pat, Ryan, the table of wisdom at the Blackfoot Brewery - and fans who have been generous supporting my work and growth and who continue to cheer me on. xoxo
