Havreites start howling for health care workers

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Havreites have joined in with a host of towns across the nation and Montana to show solidarity with the hardworking individuals combating the virus by connecting in a cacophony of howls. 

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, health care workers, emergency services and other essential workers have faced unprecedented challenges, both personally and professionally. Montanans have banded together to auditorialy display their appreciation for those workers throughout the stay-at-home order.

KNMC 90.1, Montana State University-Northern's radio station, and Havre Area Events formed "Howl for Havre!" Tuesday in an event listed on Facebook.

The event's description states at 8 p.m. every night, citizens are encouraged to step outside their homes or lean out their windows and give a howl to show solidarity for "health care workers, grocery store employees, truck drivers and others on the front lines in the fight against the coronavirus."

Dave Martens, the station manager at KNMC 90.1 and the creator of "Howl for Havre!," said he started the event because "I thought it'd be something we could all rally behind."

KNMC likes "to support community events and the community any way we can," he said.

Every night, "to hear other Havreites shouting or howling or honking their horns, it has been really kind of cool," he added.

The last few nights at Northern Montana Health Care, Monica Garrahan has been out howling for the health care workers on the front lines.

With an 88-year-old mother she's seen the effort and care doctors put into their work, Garrahan said, and she has been howling to "let off some steam" and "thank people at the same time."

She said she sees howling as an opportunity to come together and show community in a tough time. She has been putting an importance on "keeping a really positive attitude" and showing appreciation for those working through COVID-19 pandemic.

Former Montana Speaker of the House Bob Bergren has been howling every night in support of all the essential workers. He said he feels like it "shines spot on our strengths" and "is a follow-through for the all the great efforts of our community."

He said that with so many people being isolated, it is important to show that "we are all in this together."

Havre is a tight community and the howling shows that it "has the strength, hope and integrity to make it through any crisis," he added.

Connecting through community has been one of Havre's strongest aspects even through adversity, Martens said.

Martens, Garrahan and Bergren all said that showing support for those on the front lines is important during this time.

Martens said that he hopes it continues to grow and "continues as something we come together around."