Volunteer Spotlight

Cathey Hardin has been visiting the Madison Valley since 2007, after her husband took a job with the United States Forest Service. Also working with the USFS, Hardin was the vegetation manager for the north zone of the Caribou-Targhee National Forest and was based out of Island Park.  After she retired in 2012, she moved to the Madison Valley full time.

“I like to hike and garden – I couldn’t garden in Island Park,” Hardin mused. “We like traveling, canoeing and kayaking and I really love to cross-country ski.” Originally from South Carolina, Hardin found a life of recreation when she moved to Ennis, as well as a life giving back to her new community. She has been active with the Madison Farm 2 Fork program, whose mission is local food sustainability, she’s on the board for her Home Owner’s Association in her subdivision, helps work the Food Bank when needed, and is active with the Women’s Club, working at the Nearly New Shoppe every Monday. “The Women’s Club is a pretty special thing,” she said.

Hardin, like most community volunteers, said she appreciates what she gets out of volunteering. “You get some much more than you give,” she said. “It’s always good to give back and I believe in what we do and the opportunities it gives to people. It’s a great thing to do in a small town and I want to help as much as I can.”

Hardin said giving to your local community is invaluable and a necessary way for communities to thrive. “If you can’t give money, give time – everyone has something they can offer.”