With two decades of helping organizations in the Sea to Sky corridor under its belt, the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation is getting ready to celebrate and fundraise with its annual Telus Winter Classic next weekend.
The foundation has raised $7.5 million in that time and executive director Mei McCurdy is hoping that events planned for the 20th annual charity fundraiser on Jan. 25 and 26 will help it reach a goal of raising $220,000 at this year’s event.
“It is our 20th year anniversary, so it is going to be bigger and better than ever,” McCurdy said. “Our fundraising goal in our 20th year is $220,000 — we really hope we can reach that.
“It is a really lofty ambitious goal, but every year I am so amazed by all the generosity.”
The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation annually raises around $600,000 to provide dedicated grants to organizations that benefit or enhance the lives of residents in the Sea to Sky corridor. Recipients range from those working in health services, education, recreation, arts and culture and the environment.
Every year the foundation provides multiple grants in the region and a one large legacy grant to an organization undertaking a major project. In 2012 the foundation provided $300,000 to the school district for its technology fund.
“We definitely have been proud to say we have been on board for a lot of the big projects in the Sea to Sky corridor,” McCurdy said.
McCurdy said the Winter Classic gives people in the community a chance to come out and have a good time and contribute towards its grant program.
“This is basically our major fundraiser; this is where we raise a lot of the money that we donate,” she said.
While the majority of the team packages go to corporate groups out of Vancouver, she said many locals enjoy the Friday night (Jan. 25) Winestastic event presented by Amdocs for $65 a ticket, or the Saturday night (Jan. 26) Telus Technicolour Dream Mountain Top Gala at the Roundhouse Lodge on Whistler Mountain for $175.
McCurdy said the events sell out each year and only a few tickets remain available as of press time.
Go to www.whistlerblackcomfoundation.com or email foundation@whistlerblackcomb.com for more information.
