Thank you to everyone
who joined us at our Après Celebration fundraiser event Sunday night
at the Whistler Brewhouse. We absolutely packed the
house and it was a huge success on all accounts.
We’d like to thank Mark James for
generously donating the venue and all the food & beverage to allow 100% of
ticket proceeds to go direct to the Spearhead Huts. The staff were amazing and
the venue was outstanding.
We were pleased to have special
guests Damian Cromwell, Colin Boyd, and Paul Dixon share emotional stories
about their dedications to Brett Carlson, Barbara McGeough and Kees and Claire
respectively. It was amazing to see how such at tightly knit community of
backcountry enthusiasts have rallied together to support a common vision for
backcountry accessibility and safety.
We also welcomed special guests from
BC Parks and the Resort Municipality or Whistler who have made significant
contributions to our project progress to date.
The event directly raised
almost $60,000 including a generous $10,000 match from the Dixon
Family and $12,500 match from Coast to Coast Helicopter. Plus we announced
an additional $73,000 worth of recent contributions from the Brett Carlson
Memorial Foundation, and from friends and family of Barbara
McGeough.
Thank you so much to everyone who
participated in the silent auction and who attended the event.
Thank
You To The Event Team
Event organizers Jamie Bond, Laurie
Block, Erin Hutchison & Jolene Livingston.
Event volunteers Joe Schwartz, Sarah
Frood, Sue Drinnan, Jayson Faulkner, Chris Christie, Karen Hughes, David &
Adrienne Hughes, Ken & Joan McCance, Rob Brusse, Liz Scremin, Carol
Evenchick, David Scanlon, Andre Charland and Mike Douglas.
Thank
You To The Event Sponsors
Mark James, MJG, Brewhouse at
Whistler, Coast to Coast Helicopter, Arcteryx, RMU Skis, Gibbons Life,
Surefoot, Mountain Skills Academy, Stacey Bodnaruk, Altus Mountain Guides,
Escape Route, Black Diamond, Dakine, DrySure, Extremely Canadian, Harbour Air,
Helly Hansen, Life Straw, Patagonia, Scarpa, Kathryn Hluchy, Kim Eidjenberg,
Eat Prima.
Paul & Jill Dixon present a $10,000 donation match on behalf
of Paul’s parents Mark & Susan Dixon, to go towards the Kees and Claire Hut
project in honour of Kees Brenninkmeyer and Claire Dixon. Chris Christie photo.
Some of the original Kees and Claire Memorial Hut Society
team, now 10 years into this ambitious project. Sarah Frood, Laurie Block,
Jamie Bond, Andre Charland, Paul & Jill Dixon, Karen Newby. Chris Christie
photo.
Thank you Denis Vincent and Coast to Coast Helicopter for
your generous donation match. Chris Christie photo.
Damian Cromwell of the Brett Carlson Memorial Foundation
keeping Brett’s memory alive in style, sharing a quintessential shot ski with
friends. Chris Christie photo.
Colin and Keiran Boyd presenting presenting the cumulative
donations from the friends and family of Barbara McGeough towards Barbara’s
Kitchen in the Kees and Claire Hut. Chris Christie photo.
Brian Hill thanking the crowd for the honour and opportunity
to be part of such a special project. And thank you Brian & Andrea!
It isn’t apres unless you’re wearing ski boots. Chris
Christie photo.
The silent auction tables in action. Chris Christie photo.
Cheers. Thanks again to Mark James and staff. Chris Christie
photo.