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Whistler’s American friends give back to community

The organization is looking for new members as it begins its second year of fundraising After a year doling out money to local charities, Whistler’s American friends are gearing up to do more good work around the resort in the years to come.

The organization is looking for new members as it begins its second year of fundraising

After a year doling out money to local charities, Whistler’s American friends are gearing up to do more good work around the resort in the years to come.

The American Friends of Whistler met on Saturday, Dec. 27 at Millennium Place for an update on the charity’s work during its first year and a half in business, as well as an update of what’s been going on in the resort over the past year.

"We want to make sure you participate and are involved in this community," said Mayor Hugh O’Reilly, who is one of the volunteers working with the AFOW.

"This is a vehicle for Americans to connect with the community."

O’Reilly said Whistler’s relationship with Americans who own second homes here is challenging because though they pay taxes on their property, they cannot vote in municipal elections.

In July 2002 Simon Levin, an U.S. tax attorney who has a second home in Whistler, dreamt up the fundraising venture as a way to stay connected to the community. The AFOW was born.

Roughly 30 people were on hand at Saturday’s meeting for updates on the Olympics, the Comprehensive Sustainability Plan and initiatives at Whistler-Blackcomb, as well as information about the charity.

AFOW allows U.S. citizens to donate to a foreign non-profit and get an income tax receipt.

It is also a way for members to meet fellow Americans and stay connected and involved in the resort.

The key is to continue to raise money from its members throughout the year.

"For us to donate one of the most important things I have to do is put the squeeze on you," said Jeff Harbers, president of the board of directors, at Saturday’s meeting.

Harbers said not only are the donations important but getting Americans involved in the organization is also critical to its success. He also put out the call for new board members to join AFOW.

Of the people who were at Saturday’s meeting many asked questions about the Olympics and the future of Whistler-Blackcomb.

"Things are changing in the ski business," admitted Doug Forseth, senior vice president of operations at Whistler-Blackcomb, a fellow American who was at the meeting to give an update on the company.

The future of the business lies with the long distance traveller he said. Whistler-Blackcomb has to figure out who those people will be in the future and what they will be looking for in their ski holiday.

The company is embarking on a fairly extensive study about the future of the industry and what it can do differently to meet those future trends.

In addition, the Olympics will also change the face of the mountains. There will be three Olympic venue sites in Whistler, including the new Whistler Sliding Centre, which will be the home of the bob/luge track on Blackcomb Mountain.

"You can slide down that track and have the thrill of your life," he said.

Members at the meeting also commented on the quietness of the resort over the holiday season.

"(The numbers) are a little lighter," said Forseth.

"There’s no question that occupancy is down in the village."

Forseth said he thinks this is a reflection of the market as a whole rather than a reflection on Whistler’s popularity. Numbers at sun destinations were also down over the holidays he said.

The current exchange rate may also deter Americans from coming across the border as they are paying 20 per cent more on their bills this year compared to last year, due to the strengthened Canadian dollar, Forseth said.

Barrett Fisher, president of Tourism Whistler, who was also on hand at the meeting, explained the importance of the American connection to tourism in the resort. Americans make up 40 per cent of the overnight room stays in Whistler she said.

She echoed Forseth’s comments about the holiday numbers.

This year the higher-end hotels were booked and have been booked in advance. But the more moderately priced rooms were not as busy.

It has been a challenging few years for Whistler said Fisher and the ramifications of Sept. 11 are still being felt as Americans choose holidays that are closer to home.

Looking down the road though, she said bookings for the February time period are looking quite a bit stronger.

One American at the meeting said there was still a misconception in New York that it is very difficult to get to Whistler.

Fisher said part of Tourism Whistler’s marketing strategy will be to hammer home the point that there are direct non-stop flights to Vancouver International Airport from the eastern U.S. seaboard.

She also said that Tourism Whistler is considering having an in-market representative in both California and New York. This could help dispel some of the Whistler misconceptions that may be in the marketplace.

In the past year the American Friends of Whistler raised $53,000 (US) from its 64 members. The money was then distributed in Canadian dollars to various local charities.

Among the recipients were Whistler Community Services, the Whistler Food Bank and a counselling fund, which helped 30 clients with private counselling.

The biggest donation went to Millennium Place. The $25,000 (CDN) was directed to the building’s capital fund. The Whistler Health Care Centre received a $17,000 (CDN) donation to go towards a pneumatic cuff. This piece of equipment helps reduce fractures on the wrist and ankles and is designed to fit any shape or size.

The charity still has $11,000 (US) left in the bank with three different funding requests on the table from the Spring Creek Parents Advisory Council, Whistler Community Services for a greenhouse project and from MY Place for signage around the village.

Recently the organization also established an American Friends of Whistler fund through the Community Foundation of Whistler.

American Friends of Whistler is based in Seattle and a majority of its board members are American.

For more information about the fundraising activities or to join the organization, e-mail afriendofwhistler@hotmail.com.