Holocaust Survivor to Visit Next Month

Choteau, Fairfield and other area schools are remembering the victims of the Holocaust  by promoting tolerance throughout the schools with a "Hat Day" today to raise funds to help bring Holocaust survivor, author and inspirational speaker Inge Auerbacher to area schools in May.  Students will pay a dollar to wear their hats during the school day. 

Choteau students, Charley Yeager, Amanda Willekes and Tylee Patton have spent the last couple months raising funds to cover Inge’s expenses to Montana and provide several community events.  The girls have worked alongside Teton County Development Corporation (TCDC), a local non-profit, and Leslie Kesler, a family support specialist for Big Sky Therapeutic and Choteau area rancher, who has been corresponding with Inge Auerbacher over the past few years. Several other students from Fairfield, Choteau and other participating schools have joined in the girls’ effort to make Inge’s visit a reality and spread the word on tolerance.

 “The Virtues Project” gives a very understanding definition of tolerance:  Being tolerant is accepting differences.  You don’t expect others to think, look, speak or act just like you.  You are free of prejudice, knowing that all people have feelings, needs, hopes and dreams.  Tolerance is also accepting things that you wish were different with patience and flexibility. 

Tax deductible contributions to this cause can be sent to Teton County Development Corporation (TCDC), PO Box 1188, Choteau, MT 59422.  Checks should memo community speaker.  Leslie Kesler can be reached at 590-5615 for further information.

Inge Auerbacher speaking schedule is:

May 6 – 1:00 pm – Choteau School (Dutton and Bynum)

May 7 – 12:00 pm – Browning School 

May 7 – To be determined – De LaSalle School

May 8 – 10:30 – Conrad School (Valier?)

May 8 – 7:00 pm – Choteau High School Auditorium (Community Presentation)

May 9 – 1:00 pm – Fairfield School (Simms, Augusta and Greenfield)

May 9 – 7:00 pm- Fairfield High School Gymnasium (Community Presentation)

Inge Auerbacher’s website is ingeauerbacher.com.  Her books include “I am a Star”, “Beyond the Yellow Star to America”, and “Children of Terror”.  Her books will be available for purchase at the community events.