By MACKENZEE SIMMS | Staff Writer

HELENA – The city of Helena received tourism grants from state representatives to fund various city projects such as the Taste of Helena and the Helena Teen Council Senior Dinner at a recent city council meeting on Aug. 26.

Rep. Leigh Hulsey and Rep. Kenneth Paschal presented the checks to the city council for the funding of different Helena events and for Helena’s emergency departments.

As a Helena native, Hulsey shared that she was happy to present a check to the Helena Fire Department and the Helena Police Department.

“It’s so good to be home. I love it,” Hulsey shared. “I’m excited tonight (because) I’m just bringing back your tax dollars.”

In addition to the grants presented to the departments, Hulsey also presented a tourism grant to the city of Helena to help fund next year’s Taste of Helena.

“For my Helena event this year, I choose the Taste of Helena,” Hulsey said. “If you didn’t come (last time) and they have it again this year, you need to come. It was fabulous.”

Paschal also presented a tourism grant to the City Council for the Helena Teen Council’s Senior Dinner event. This is the third year that Paschal has presented a tourism grant for this event due to his belief in the value of open dialogue between generations.

“The (Teen Council Senior Dinner) fostered meaningful conversations between teens and seniors, followed by bingo and prize giveaways, creating a joyful atmosphere filled with smiles and laughter,” Paschal said. “I am proud to support this annual event for the third year with one of my legislative event grants.”

Teen Council member Anjali Reed echoed this sentiment of meaningful conversation when she spoke about how much she enjoys participating in the Teen Council Senior Dinner every year.

“At every table I’ve gotten to sit at (during the Teen Council Senior Dinner), I’ve always had the best time,” Reed said. “Playing bingo with them is always super competitive, but also really fun. It’s definitely my favorite event that we do. Seniors have the best stories.”

Those interested in learning more about events in Helena can visit Cityofhelena.org.