By Claire Piech
The Whistler Community Services Society (WCSS) received substantial donations from the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation for two of its projects this week.
The Community Greenhouse project received $4,100 and Whistler Kidsport, through the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation’s Title Sponsorship, received $8,500.
“The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation has been a proud supporter of Whistler Community Services for many years,” said Mei McCurdy, executive director of the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation.
“Helping rebuild the community greenhouses and continuing on as the title sponsor of the Whistler Kidsport allows us to positively affect the lives of many people,” she said.
The Community Greenhouse project will use the funds to restore two greenhouse structures that were damaged during this year’s heavy snowfall.
“Although the damage to the greenhouses put the project behind somewhat, we are able to make up for lost time with the money from the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation,” said Kari Mancer, WCSS Greenhouse Coordinator.
Whistler Kidsport will use money to provide grants to financially restricted families and children participating in organized sport in Whistler, “So All Kids Can Play”.
“We continue to be dedicated to making a difference in our local communities,” added McCurdy.
The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation Environmental Fund (WBFEF) will also be providing donations to community organizations later this year.
WBFEF is currently accepting applications for funding from nonprofit environmental organizations in the Sea to Sky corridor.
“We are excited to hear about what is being planned for the future and look forward to seeing a lot of interesting and valuable proposals again this year,” said Allana Hamm, chairperson for the WBFEF.
Created in 2001, the fund provides annual monetary grants to groups whose actions benefit the natural environment in Whistler, Squamish, and Pemberton.
So far, WBFEF has raised over $200,000 and sponsored 27 projects, including fish and wildlife habitat projects, mountain bike trail maintenance and improvement, education and interpretive work, bear management, and support for community sustainability planning and programs in the Sea to Sky corridor.
The bulk of WBFEF’s funding comes from Whistler Blackcomb staff members, who donate money from their paycheques. In turn, the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation matches the funds.
WBFEF also receives support from the Raynier Foundation in Seattle and holds an annual Telluride Mountainfilm on Tour event in Whistler.
The deadline for applications this year is June 15 th .
For more information on WBFEF, please contact Allana Hamm at 604-938-7083 or [email protected] .
