Newsroom | Company News

Katie Goodhart believes that the best way to impact a kid’s life is to be a part of it. She has poured her heart and soul into Girl Scouts, serving as a troop leader in Helena for the past 12 years.

Goodhart’s influence through Girl Scouts, along with her willingness to help others, are two of the many reasons that Goodhart is BCBSMT’s 2019 Volunteer of the Year.

“Katie is a role model and leader for young women in Helena,” said John Doran, divisional vice president of external affairs. “She has made an impact on countless people through her involvement with Girl Scouts. She also gives her time and energy to countless other organizations. Katie is a shining example of living our purpose every day, to the benefit of our community.”

Goodhart spends a good part of her volunteer time as a Girl Scouts troop leader. Her troop has gone dog sledding and traveled to Washington D.C. The girls have camped and learned how to cook. While the activities are always fun, it’s the impact of watching girls grow into young women that drives Goodhart.

“I volunteer because I can, and I have a lot to give. Girl Scouts particularly, I want to be sure that I give girls the same opportunity that I had, and the ability to grow and become strong, competent women,” Goodhart said. “I want them to learn how to lead, take on challenges, and help others as they get older.”

Goodhart’s commitment to making Helena a better place doesn’t stop with her Girl Scouts troop. She takes time to help other organizations and volunteered an amazing 582 hours in 2018 and the first half of 2019.

Goodhart also volunteers for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF), the Montana Warrior Run and the Helena Trap Club. She stepped in and assisted RMEF with their fundraising efforts. One of her main tasks was streamlining the finance table at foundation banquets.

The result has been a smoother experience at banquets and improved fundraising results. She also has been a primary organizer of the annual Warrior Run and Warrior Challenge in Helena for the past three years.

"I volunteer because I can, and I have a lot to give."

Whenever she volunteers, Goodhart always does so with the idea of making the community a better place.

 “I want to keep my community wonderful, positive, growing forward, clean, and all those different things,” Goodhart said. “I know that I need to go out there and help to do what I can to keep it moving forward and keep the positivity and the good community spirit. People from Helena and Montana, we’re very proud and we’re very happy about where we live.”

As the 2019 Volunteer of the Year, Goodhart earns a personal bonus and the opportunity to name a charity to receive a $1,000 donation from BCBSMT. Goodhart chose the Girl Scouts to receive the donation.

Through the first three quarters of 2019 a total of 204 BCBSMT employees have volunteered 6,952 hours. Employees volunteered at 140 nonprofits across the state, while assisting at 40 different events. In 2018 BCBSMT’s employee volunteerism generated more than $56,000 that was given to 40 nonprofits through the community partner program.