In 1993, an elderly woman named Sadie tapped on Pete Merrill’s car window in a grocery parking lot and offered him 35 cents for a ride home. Pete not only drove her home (free of charge, of course!), but he cleared ice from her walkways and was invited back for cookies and ginger ale.  Pete recognized a need for older residents to maintain a social connection with the larger community. Starting with 106 names from the ‘Meals on Wheels’ recipient list, he learned that there is a population of senior citizens in Bozeman with few opportunities for social interaction.  Together with key individuals at Montana State University and other active community members, Pete founded Befrienders so that people of different generations could form and nurture a mutually enriching relationship.

Pete’s widow, Caryle Merrill (photo below), mother to their kids and devoted grandmother, is our Board Secretary and remains an integral part of everything we continue to do at Befrienders. The Merrill Family has been steadfastly devoted to this program since 1993, which has had hundreds of participants and brightened the lives of so many — the Seniors for whom we provide companionship, and the Volunteers whose lives are also enriched along the way.

Our Executive Director, Cameron Pantano, came to us as a current volunteer.  She was happily matched with a 92-year old in Manhattan with whom she formed a wonderful friendship, and as a result she has a unique insight about all aspects of the matching process.  Our Program Director, Marias Quammen, was an MSU intern for Befrienders in Spring Term 2020 and came on board full-time in August 2020.  She graduated in 2020 and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Community Health with a Certificate in Gerontology.

This Spring Term 2021, we also have two wonderful MSU interns assisting us and gaining invaluable hands-on experience in Community Health and Gerontology.  They are Peyton Vining and Sinclair Oliver.