Food, sore thighs mark annual fund-raiser The two-day annual BC Tel Mobility Winter Classic brought in $120,000 for the Blackcomb Foundation, Feb. 6-7, money that will save lives and keep school children happy. The Foundation has several projects in mind for this year's money. Pemberton and North Shore search and rescue groups will get much-needed equipment, including a base tent camp and sleeping cots. The Whistler detachment of the RCMP will get a co-ordinated emergency response system. The communications device helps all emergency teams — ambulance, fire, police and so on — keep in touch over the same frequency. Recent events such as the Quicksilver chair lift accident showed the need for the hi-tech equipment, says Cathy Dixon of the Foundation. On the medical side, the Foundation is buying a lymph gland monitor so post-mastectomy women don't have to go to Vancouver for their check ups. Last but not least, the Foundation is helping to sustain Signal Hill elementary school's breakfast and lunch programs. Money raised came from a cornucopia of silent auction items on display at a wine and cheese affair held at the Chateau Whistler's Macdonald Ballroom, Friday night; from team fees to enter the Coca-Cola "Guess your time" classic slalom race down Blackcomb's Kokanee Ski Machine course; and from attendance and silent auction at the gala mountain-top dinner and dance at the Rendezvous Lodge on high on Blackcomb Mountain, Saturday night.
