This is the 4th of five articles describing the more than 60 charities and funds that will benefit from the 11th annual Fun Run for Charities. The organizations that make great art possible in Red Lodge include the Carbon County Arts Guild and Depot Gallery, A Place for Our Arts, the Red Lodge Fringe Festival, and Emerging Young Artists.

The Carbon County Arts Guild and Depot Gallery supports Carbon County through art education, visual, performing and literary arts programs, and by preserving two important landmarks – the 1889 Rocky Fork & Cooke City Railway Depot & Caboose. A Place for Our Arts works to enhance the quality of life in Red Lodge by supporting the arts by finding space for them. The Red Lodge Fringe Festival brings outstanding music to Red Lodge year round. That includes classical, jazz, bluegrass and international music. Emerging Young Artists supports young people who demonstrate talent, drive and ambition to further explore art, music and the performing arts.

The heritage of Carbon County residents is broad and deep. The Red Lodge Festival of Nations has been celebrating the cultural heritage of Red Lodge since 1950. The Festival of Nations promotes and celebrates the ethnic heritage of Red Lodge through music, dance, food and the highland games. Celtic Fusion promotes appreciation of Scottish, Irish and other cultures through dance.

The Carbon County Historical Society preserves and communicates the history of the County to residents and visitors. The Red Lodge Friends of the Library helps preserve and strengthen the Red Lodge Carnegie Library and create awareness and appreciation of library services. The Historical Society provides the opportunity to learn about the past and the Library provides us with a window to the world through the printed word and modern media.

Operation Second Chance is committed to helping wounded warriors move on. Your support will defray costs for Wounded Warrior Retreats that serve wounded veterans and their families by bringing them to Montana to heal and recover.

Three organizations honor veterans living and deceased and promote appreciation for the military while fostering patriotism in the schools and the community. The American Legion Post 17 and the VFW Granite Peak Post 4725 want to raise money to purchase a van to transport disabled veterans to their medical appointments in Billings. The Beartooth Elks Lodge serves Vets and Youth in Carbon County. Their goal this year is to provide much needed access to the Veterans’ Center for disabled Vets.

Carbon County is a place made strong and vibrant by the organizations that support our veterans, bring the arts to its citizens, and help understand our past and our future. Help keep Carbon County strong and vibrant by supporting these organizations through Fun Run 11.