Montanans lend a helping hand to Nebraska flooding victims

A determined Montanan is traveling more than 1,000 miles to help recent flooding victims in Spencer, Nebraska.

Mike Takeuchi of Columbus originally posted on Facebook asking if anybody would be interested in donating to residents in need in Nebraska.

He wrote that with enough donations and money for fuel, he would transfer the supplies in his pick-up truck and trailer.

The first Facebook reply was from a person who said they would pay for all fuel costs during the trip.

Takeuchi then contacted people in Nebraska to find out what they needed most. He learned they needed fencing materials, hay, barbed wire, wood posts, fence staples, and animal supplies.

Takeuchi has also been in contact with a man from Garfield County, Troy Witt, who has many loads of hay that need transported to Nebraska.

He said if they get more donations for fuel, he will make a second trip.

Takeuchi added that if Montanans affected by the 2017 Lodgepole Complex fire can donate, others can too.

“The thing that struck me is when I was following those people over there where the Lodgepole fire was, you know they said, ‘Neighbor is a verb.’ And I thought, ‘That’s a pretty cool way to put it.’ A lot of those people got burned out, a couple years ago or less, and they were volunteering to take hay and stuff down to Nebraska.”

Takeuchi plans to leave for Nebraska on Saturday, April 26.

If you are looking to donate, a bank account has been established at Yellowstone Bank in Columbus.

For more information or to learn about other ways you can donate, visit the Montana to Nebraska Flood Relief Facebook page.

You can also contact Mike Takeuchi at 406-321-2974, Madison Mousel at 406-321-1162, or Anna Tooke See at 406-861-5895.