BOZEMAN — Do you know what the term grassroots means? It’s literally the most basic form of organization where people work together to achieve a goal.
“When the vaccine came out, and it was just this incredible wave of hope, and then there was this daunting effort to figure out not only who to prioritize but how to get it in people’s arms. A few of us just started noticing that there might be a little gap that we could help fill,” explained Kristi, a Bozeman resident with the organizers.
Which led these unnamed men and women to move into action.
“I get to work from home. I have a flexible work schedule. I realized I could help people sign up because I’m in front of my computer all day anyway, so a few of us started getting together and learning the system so that we could help people sign up,” she said.
Helping elderly and minority residents sign up before appointments quickly filled up.
“Just like we’re doing neighbor to neighbor all over this town and this county, that we’re here and we want to help folks. It is very unofficial. There’s a bunch of us who just reach out and find each other,” Kristi said.
“We’re doing this because it takes everybody. It takes everybody to help this community, and this state, and our country get back on track after this devastation,” she added.
The most common way people have been reaching out for help has been word of mouth, but you can also email them at surjgallatinvalley@gmail.com
“They call. They text. They email. Sometimes direct messages on social media. I mean this is about as grassroots as it gets,” Kristi exclaimed.
As of April 1, any Montana resident over the age of 16 is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.