Governor and First Lady Bring ‘12 Days of Giving’ to Missoula

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - Montana Governor Greg Gianforte and First Lady Susan Gianforte called into the KGVO Talk Back show on Tuesday to promote their upcoming visit later in the day to promote their annual ’12 Days of Giving’ tradition.

“We're kicking off our ‘12 Days of Giving’,” began Governor Gianforte. “This is our fourth annual event. It's a part of the Christmas season, and yesterday we lit the Capitol Christmas Tree in Helena. I encourage people to come see it. We picked a beautiful Engelmann spruce. It fills up the whole Rotunda. It's going to be on display all of December.”

Governor and First Lady Susan Gianforte Visited Missoula on Tuesday

Gianforte said the first day of the event was Monday in Helena.

“Our first day of giving featured ‘Toys for Tots’,” he said. “This is a program that was started by the Marine Corps, and it's 75 years old. Last year alone in Helena, they gave toys to 3,700 children. We made our contribution, and I encourage other people if they're able to do it.

Mrs. Gianforte Handed Out Books from the Dolly Parton Imagination Library

First Lady Susan Gianforte said while in Missoula, she will personally hand out special children’s books from the Dolly Parton Imagination Library campaign.

“I brought the Imagination Library program to Montana last June,” she said. “There were about 8,000 children signed up. United Way of Missoula County is the partner in Missoula and Mineral County, and now we have over 25,000 children across Montana registered. The entire state is covered.”

Mrs. Gianforte was excited to get good-quality books into the hands of children, especially those in rural areas where there may not be a library close by.

Mrs. Gianforte Was Encouraged to get Books in the Hands of Rural Children

“It's especially good for more rural areas where people can't get into the library and where children can't get to the library on a regular basis,” she said. “It's a great program for Montana, where kids are so spread out all across the state, and it really improves their literacy preparation when they get to kindergarten.”

The governor donates his entire salary for the year to 12 different charities during the Christmas season.