As the president of the Whistler Adaptive Sports Program, I am writing this letter to thank the many individuals and organizations that have contributed to another successful year for our Society.

To the program supervisors, all of our volunteers, and the staff of the Whistler Adaptive Ski and Ride Program: you are the heart and soul of the Whistler Adaptive Sports Program. You are ambassadors of the program and of Whistler. You give your time and talents so generously and provide an exceptional personal and mountain experience to all of our clients. Thank you!

To the staff, coaches, volunteers, and supporters of our Adaptive Alpine Development and Cross Country programs, including the Whistler Mountain Ski Club, Whistler Nordics Ski Club, the Cross-Country Connection, Rotary Clubs of Whistler and Pemberton, the International Skiing Fellowship of the Rotarians, Canadian Sport Centre Pacific, and the Resort Municipality of Whistler: thank you for your donations of time, effort, meeting space, equipment, and passes which help make these programs successful.

To our Building and Fundraising committees: thank you for your tireless efforts. You have done a fantastic job this year in reaching out to our supporters through our fundraising events and for driving the building project forward. Your work has made the creation of our new “Welcome and Equipment Centre” at Whistler Blackcomb possible which is so needed to support our growing organization.

To all of our generous sponsors, supporters, and donors, especially Whistler Blackcomb, Scotiabank, Telus, Abercrombie Foundation, Resort Municipality of Whistler, Community Foundation of Whistler, Whistler Blackcomb Foundation, Ronald McDonald Children’s Charities, and the Rotary Clubs of Whistler and Pemberton: thank you for being constant donors and boosters of our program. Thank you to Rotary for donating the initial building at mid-station and to the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation, American Friends of Whistler, First Canadian Development Corp., and Scotiabank for supporting the new “Welcome and Equipment Centre” at Whistler Blackcomb. Your contributions and support, big and small, help to make all of this possible. In these challenging economic times, we are especially grateful for your continued commitment to the Whistler Adaptive Sports Program.

To our Executive Director and Administrator: thank you for putting WASP’s mission and accomplishments in the spotlight with weekly press releases, hosting races, countless presentations, and constantly dealing with the media, our clientele, and our sponsors.
To Captain Holiday’s Kayak and Adventure School and Access Sea to Sky: thank you for supporting our summer programs.

To VANOC and Whistler 2010 Sports Legacies: thank you for our first major legacy, the office space, storage space, use of the new facility in the Whistler Athletes’ Centre, and accommodation in the Whistler Athletes’ Lodge as well as to your employees for their personal donations.

To our present board of directors: thank you for your leadership, direction, and sage advice, especially for your work in developing and implementing our new operational processes.
To our past board members: thank you for laying down the foundational work and getting us started with special thanks for the support that you’ve given me in my first year as president.
My sincere thanks and gratitude to all of you for what you’ve accomplished this year. I’m looking forward to working with you in 2010.
Ed Lee
President
Whistler Adaptive Sports Program