Big Sky Bravery wouldn't be what it is today without the hard work and dedication of our volunteers. To celebrate their generosity & introduce you to some incredible individuals, we are kicking off a monthly Volunteer Spotlight!

First up: Blane Woodfin

"I’ve been volunteering for BSB for about 4 years now. I felt an immediate connection with BSB’s mission when I first met Josh McCain, and he told me Jeremy Keller's story and the vision he had for creating opportunities for recreational decompression here in Montana.

I’m deeply fulfilled by contributing to BSB’s mission for two reasons: A) I have a sincere appreciation for the people who serve in our military. I’ve always looked up to soldiers and had hoped to join the military myself. When I found out I was unable to do so due to a heart valve abnormality, I was very disappointed. BSB offers me a chance to connect with and contribute to a community of people for whom I have the utmost respect. B) Living in Montana, I get to experience the bounty of a mountain lifestyle every day. I’ve struggled with anxiety and depression myself and have seen the benefits of staying active and pushing myself in physical activity. I truly believe that a mountain environment is unique in its ability to provide a sense of freedom and relaxation while simultaneously pushing you to your physical limits. Sharing in what the mountains have to offer with these men makes me proud to be an American. 

The best memories from Task Forces are when the recipients really begin to trust us as volunteers. Most of these guys seem to really have their guard up against civilians - many of them are pretty upfront about it. But when they start to realize how BSB works and that we’re all there on a volunteer basis taking time away from our families and work, many of them really seem to appreciate what we do.

My most recent TF included a recipient who was really struggling with a recent combat injury. He was emotionally and physically exhausted. But by the middle of the week, he seemed to let his guard down and at dinner, he smiled and remarked on how much it meant to him to be building relationships with civilians that he knew he could trust. He said he didn’t remember the last time he had smiled. It’s incredibly sad for me to think about how little trust most of the guys have for civilians like me when they first arrive, but hearing him say that and seeing him smile will stick with me forever. 

I think the BSB motto of "Give More Than You Take" connects to my life in the way I hold myself accountable to my values as a leader. Whether it is in my personal life, business, or elsewhere, I try to exhibit traits consistent with the motto such as leading by example and a “leaders eat last” mentality. I try to always be mindful of how my actions impact those in whom I hold a vested interest and do my best to nurture those relationships. One of the best examples of this is our 20+ member management team for our company here in Bozeman. We have experienced nearly zero turnovers over the past 3 years as our company continues to grow. I can attribute much of that to a “Give More Than You Take” approach to my relationships with our people and always challenging them to do the same with their teams."

Blane Woodfin

Regional President of Blue Collar Restaurant Group