Make no mistake, the Ruby Valley Woodcutters is not an operational lumber yard. Instead their a non-profit charitable organization that supplies wood for cooking and heating to the communities of South Silver Bow, West Madison and all of Beaverhead Counties.
“By and by, over the past 24, 25 years, the service keeps growing slowly," says organizer Father Harry Neley. "According to need and according to the availability of volunteers.”
And Father Harry would be the first to tell you that this operation would be nothing without the hardworking volunteers he has. All of whom have an average age of about 70 years old.
“It’s amazing and I think part of our aging process has been helped by what we were doing, by thinking outside of ourselves and helping others," Neley adds. "And that’s what these guys do and they do a great job with it.”
These volunteers are made up of two retired U.S. Navy Captains, a retired U.S. Army nurse, and retired enlisted soldiers. So serving their community comes naturally to them. That old saying of you get what you give, couldn’t be more true for the Ruby Valley wood bank.
“And we’re fed by people who volunteer their services and money and equipment and everything else," added Neley. "And we are served in that circle and we serve our clients in that circle and it comes right around again.”
The group meets every Tuesday past the Bed and Breakfast in Sheridan and are always looking for more volunteers.
