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W-B Foundation grants $185,000

Local schools, the Pemberton Health Care Centre, and local ski and snowboard clubs were the big winners when the Whistler-Blackcomb Foundation announced its latest round of grants on Tuesday, Aug. 6.

Local schools, the Pemberton Health Care Centre, and local ski and snowboard clubs were the big winners when the Whistler-Blackcomb Foundation announced its latest round of grants on Tuesday, Aug. 6. Altogether, 14 non-profit organizations in the Sea to Sky corridor received grants, totaling more than $185,000.

"The Whistler-Blackcomb Foundation’s primary objective is to improve the quality of life in our community," said foundation President Dave Brownlie. "Our directors believe we have made a significant contribution with these grants."

The foundation raises money through the Founder’s Pass Program and two annual events, the Whistler-Blackcomb Foundation Golf Classic in September and the Telus Mobility Whistler-Blackcomb Foundation Winter Classic in January. Since the foundation was established in 1993, it has contributed more than $2 million to local non-profit organizations.

The most recent recipients include:

• Local school playgrounds: Squamish Elementary received $22,000 to replace old equipment. Signal Hill Elementary in Pemberton and Spring Creek Elementary in Whistler are both under construction and will receive $35,000 each to build their playgrounds.

• The Pemberton Health Centre will receive $30,500 to purchase a blood cell counter used to help doctors diagnose anemia and infections. It will reduce time and costs of sending samples to other hospitals and health care centres for tests.

• The Whistler Mountain Ski Club and the Whistler Valley Snowboard Club received $12,005 and $10,425 respectively as the beneficiaries of the annual Winter Classic Wine & Cheese night at the Westin Resort and Spa. The money will be used for youth athletic programs.

• The B.C. Mobilities Opportunities Society received $10,000 for the purchase of "trail riders" that allow disabled individuals to participate in hiking activities. In August, the trail-riders will be used at a special event called the Access Challenge in the Whistler Area.

• Whistler Secondary School will receive $10,000 to upgrade its computer software licenses.

• Whistler Community Services will receive $8,500 for its Kidsport program, which provides financial support to approximately 40 locals kids participating in local athletics and recreation.

• The Make-a-Wish Foundation received $5,000 to grant a wish for a Pemberton child to watch the St. Louis Blues hockey team in St. Louis.

• A donation of $2,800 was pledged to the Whistler-Blackcomb team for participating in the B.C. Lions 24-Hour Relay for Kids. The groups raised $37,000 for Camp Squamish Summer Camp programs for kids with disabilities. Specifically the money will go towards two in-ground trampolines.

• Outward Bound will receive $1,500 to sponsor one candidate from the Sea-to-Sky Corridor.

• Two Peter Xhignesse Memorial Scholarships of $1,000 each were awarded to Kendra Hodgson of Pemberton Secondary and Jamie McCance from Whistler Secondary for achievements in athleticism and academics.