Former crisis line volunteer and long-standing TFC supporter Mike Vannatta discusses the ways Mount Helena Eagles 4040 in East Helena is bringing people together and generating much-needed support for a variety of causes throughout the year.
For over 50 years, The Friendship Center has been a safe haven for those affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking in our tri-county area. We are able to serve hundreds of people with free, confidential services each year and reach even more people with education to prevent future instances of violence—all because of a community that steps up and supports us at every turn.
Our ability to adapt and expand to meet our community’s needs through the decades owes to the dedication of many, including countless passionate volunteers and local partners who share our vision for a culture where all relationships are grounded in safety and respect. We have the delight this month to highlight somebody who’s supported TFC in a variety of ways, most recently in his role as president of Mount Helena Eagles 4040 in East Helena. Before Mike Vannatta stepped into the role of aerie president in 2023, he supported TFC in providing one of our most critical services by fielding calls to our 24-hour crisis line as a volunteer advocate.
We think you’ll be as inspired as we are by Mike’s drive to serve our community, and how he and his fellow members of Eagles 4040 are bringing people together to support a variety of local causes throughout the year. By Mike’s accounting, Eagles 4040 raises more than $25,000 a year for a number of meaningful community causes. We were surprised to be the beneficiary of some of that generosity back in February, when we received a donation of over $1,500 from a special Saturday chicken wing fundraiser. Donations from events organized by community groups like this truly add up—generating about $40,000 of support for our vital services over the most recently completed fiscal year alone.
If you’ve always thought our local Eagles aerie is just a social club that operates a bar out on Main Street in East Helena, we’re one of many organizations that can vouch it’s so much more than that. But don’t take our word for it—check out what their president has to say about the sense of community and fulfillment he’s found with this group serving East Helena and beyond. Our Q&A with Mike covers what he loves about his current role, the impact of his past role as a volunteer crisis line advocate, and his words of encouragement to folks looking for ways to get more involved in their community.
When you joined our volunteer corps as a crisis line advocate a few years ago, you were kind enough to let us feature you in a volunteer spotlight for our print newsletter. You shared a bit then about what drove you to volunteer with TFC and the fulfillment you found in working with survivors. Can you talk about the other roles you’ve taken on in the community since then and how you’re continuing to support and connect with others?
MV: My work with Eagles 4040 has brought me incredible fulfillment. The vast majority of the public is under the impression that we are just a bar, but it goes deeper than that. There is a reason the show Cheers was so popular for all those years: People want to go to a place where everybody knows your name.
Our bar is officially called a “social room” because it is there as a space for our members to socialize and build relationships and community. Unlike thousands of other Eagles chapters across the country, our social room is open to the general public, which helps us generate revenue to fund our work and expand our community visibility and membership.
How did you first get involved with Eagles 4040 and what are your goals now that you are aerie president?
MV: I spent years visiting Eagles 4040 as a patron and dart player. I have been playing in dart leagues since 2016 and formed relationships with many other players in the community. Eventually, I made the drive out to East Helena regularly to socialize with my friends who lived out there. I officially joined Eagles 4040 in 2022 and took over as president in 2023. My goals are to continue to grow our membership, deepen existing community partnerships while forging new ones, and put effort into engaging our members around our work.
The Friendship Center has been the lucky beneficiary of some of Eagles 4040's charitable efforts, and we're just one of several local causes who've been on the receiving end of your generosity. What are some of the other organizations you've been able to support and what impresses you about them?
MV: We support individuals and community partners to the tune of $25-30k each year. It would be impossible to list off everyone, but I’ll do my best to list some longtime partners we have had over the years:
East Helena and Helena public school districts
Montana National Guard Family Programs
I’m always impressed by our community nonprofit partners. The work they all do is laser-focused on their missions because there are no profits to be made. I believe many organizations in this country and world are too hyper-focused on making as much money as possible. Don’t get me wrong—our free-market economy and cutting-edge corporations have spurred innovation and economic power that has benefited Americans and much of the world, but the nonprofit sector is driven by love for community and neighbors. Gandhi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world,” and nonprofit organizations embody that sentiment.
You clearly have a strong personal sense of service and involvement in your community outside of your day job. What do you attribute that to, and what keeps you inspired to give back and embrace new ways to do that?
MV: I grew up in the Episcopal Church and my grandfather was the Bishop of Montana for many, many years. From a young age, I understood that a life of service is paved in fulfillment. I was fortunate to be a part of a church that continually served our communities. I joined the US Navy out of high school to serve our country, but medical issues forced me into an early retirement. I attended Carroll College for my undergraduate degrees and was again involved in various roles serving my community both on and off campus. Upon entering graduate school at University of Washington, my then-wife and I joined a large church and served as youth group leaders. Spending time in service with my churches’ young people further cemented my commitment to find ways to serve others throughout my life.
Many people outside of advocacy programs like The Friendship Center are surprised to hear how fulfilling advocates find the work given how heavy and serious our clients’ situations can be. How would you describe the value of working with survivors as an advocate and the impact it's had on you?
MV: I feel that most people know about the suffering caused by domestic violence and sexual assault but are quite disconnected from how much of it is going on in their own communities. Working with survivors is not easy work but nothing worth doing is ever easy. More times than not, someone going through crisis or in the midst of trauma just needs to know someone is there, concerned, listening, and ready to help.
The value of working with survivors is that you are someone who is walking beside them in their darkest moments. The plague that domestic violence and sexual assault has on society and individuals often plays out in the shadows. It is inherently dark in the shadows but being with someone (whether in-person or on the phone), you can shine a small light and drive out some of the darkness. Working with survivors helps me with my perspective as well. I don’t live in a utopia. I struggle. Hopes get dashed and darkness can creep in, but in those times, I think about the survivors who summon incredible courage and bravery to ask for help. Storms never last. There will always be more sunshine on the horizon, you just need to keep sailing.
What would you tell folks out there looking for a role where they can have a positive impact? And, if folks are interested in getting connected with Eagles 4040 specifically, how can they get in touch?
MV: Maslow’s hierarchy speaks to the importance of belonging. Find your people. What do you love to do? What brings you joy? I promise there are people in your community doing those things with each other. Maybe volunteering isn’t your thing? That’s fine but you must actively seek out your people.
Want to get involved volunteering but don’t know where to start? Check out volunteerhelena.org. The website serves as a central hub of both local and national organizations that can always use volunteers. To learn more about Eagles 4040, just stop on by and visit us. Our wonderful staff would be happy to connect you with someone to learn more about what we do. Children are allowed in our building until 9 PM but cannot sit at the bar. We have the best pool tables in town which also happen to be the most inexpensive. We have dart boards, karaoke night, and music bingo nights, and we host a number of community events each year.
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