Whistler Blackcomb Foundation COVID-19 Updates
- Released December 22, 2020 -
COAST SALISH TERRITORY/SQUAMISH, BC – The Howe Sound Women’s Centre Society’s and Whistler Blackcomb Foundation announce an exciting opportunity to have your donations matched dollar for dollar up to $70,000 for a much-needed renovation to the Squamish Drop-In Centre!
“We are absolutely thrilled to announce a matching gift incentive facilitated by the generosity of the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation! Of the $450,000 total renovation budget, the society had $140,000 more to raise when WBF came on board. From now until January 31, 2020 all donations received towards the renovation project will be matched dollar to dollar, up to $70,000, bringing us to our total fundraising goal!” Says Ashley Oakes, the society’s executive director.
Howe Sound Women’s Centre will begin renovating the Squamish Drop-In Centre in the new year in order to expand much needed support services to survivors of gender-based violence. “This much anticipated renovation will ensure the society is able to continue to meet the growing needs of the communities of the Sea to Sky Corridor by significantly increasing programming space through the relocation of administrative offices onto the second floor.” Explained Oakes, when describing the project. “The renovation will include the addition of more children’s counselling space, crisis support rooms, and a group facilitation area. Additionally, by moving administrative offices to the second floor, we have the capacity to grow our team in the future, ensuring we are able to provide much needed supportive services to all survivors of gender-based violence for years to come.” Read more below.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE
- Released December 16, 2020 -
Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz Donates $3.3 Million in COVID-19 Emergency Relief and Behavioral Health Grants to Nine Mountain Communities, including the Sea to Sky Corridor.
The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation has received $75,000 CAD to support the convening of a task force to envision and create a participant-centered approach to mental health services in Whistler, as well as an additional $160,000 CAD for our COVID-19 Relief Fund.
“The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation is so grateful to be receiving additional funding and support from Rob Katz and Elana Amsterdam that supports our Building Community Resiliency project (BCR), a community-wide collaboration focused on improving the mental health landscape in Whistler and better addressing the needs of our community. We look forward to working with the BCR task force on the next phase of implementation that aims to bolster awareness of local mental health and substance use supports, improve access and help seeking behaviors, and enhance the experience when someone reaches out for assistance. These grants are very significant for the Sea to Sky corridor. The additional contribution to the Foundation’s COVID-19 Emergency Fund will help serve the basic needs of community members during the pandemic.” Mei Madden, WBF Executive Director.
Locally, the following organizations also received funding: Howe Sound Women’s Centre Society, Sea to Sky Community Services Society, Squamish Helping Hands Society, Whistler Community Services Society, and the Whistler Health Care Foundation. Read more below.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE
- Released November 06, 2020 -
The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation grants $22,500 towards the Whistler Community Foundation's Emergency Fund to support the Pemberton Children's Centre's ventilation system.
In September, Whistler Community Foundation opened Emergency Fund grant applications to find an overwhelming need in Pemberton. With nearly $65,000 available for granting to both communities, Whistler Community Foundation (WCF) looked to Whistler Blackcomb Foundation to boost the emergency funding capacity to allow for: Pemberton Children’s Centre to install an urgently needed ventilation system; and, for Village of Pemberton to provide a virtual hub to the community and communication devices to people made particularly vulnerable by COVID-19.
The opportunity for impact with the Pemberton Children’s Centre (PCC) was realized when reviewing A Vital Signs Exploration Greater Sea-to-Sky and Howe Sound Community Foundations 2020. In a village of 100 population comparison, Pemberton’s children between 0-4 was more than double that of Whistler. And PCC noted that more than 150 families who have accessed the facility and 20 staff and their families are directly impacted by the risks associated with COVID-19.
A new ventilation system at PCC was deemed urgent to meet the BC CDC’s standard of care. More than that this grant gives parents accessing the programs peace of mind when using childcare to help them return to the workplace. And it creates a safer environment for the women working in the facility who are earners, and often caregivers, in their own homes.
Whistler Community Foundation’s Emergency Fund fall distribution totaled $64,230, while requests exceeded $86,000. The outstanding Emergency Fund requests of $22,500 were covered with enthusiasm by the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation. Read more below.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE
-Released May 9, 2020-
The Tull Family Foundation has committed $100,000 to support the community of Whistler during the COVID-19 health crisis. $50,000 was granted to the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation and an additional $50,000 was given to the Whistler Health Care Foundation.
The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation will be using the funding to continue to support the most urgent needs of the community through the WBF COVID-19 Emergency Fund. “We were humbled to receive the news about the incredible generosity of the Tull Family. The needs of our local communities continue to be on an upward trajectory and we are so grateful to the Tull Family for providing this support”, said Mei Madden, Executive Director of the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation.
“The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation and the Whistler Health Care Foundation are incredibly important to us and crucial during this unprecedented time. We are grateful for the work they are doing to prioritize the care of the Whistler community now and always, a place that is our home away from home and holds so many memories dear to our family,” said Alba and Thomas Tull.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE
-Released May 8, 2020-
The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation has committed $27,000 to support Sea to Sky Community Services during the COVID-19 health crisis.
The operational shortfall for the next few months for Sea to Sky Community Services is projected to be $54,000. The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation has kicked off fundraising for SSCS’s financial shortfall with a matching grant of $27,000 and is challenging Sea to Sky residents to come together to not only
match—but exceed— this contribution. To inspire locals to donate, we've teamed up with Whistler Live and the Sea to Sky Gondola to hold a live-stream concert featuring The Hairfarmers on May 15th at the Sea to Sky Gondola Summit.
To help reach the fundraising goal, Sea to Sky Gondola is contributing lift tickets, dinner, and drinks for four couples to enjoy the show live and in-person on Friday night on the summit (with all physical distancing measures in place). These special seats will be auctioned off ahead of time by the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation. See below for more information.
Sea to Sky Community Services is the largest social service provider in the region and continues to deliver much-needed programs and services to the Corridor during COVID-19, such as the Food Bank and The Howe Sound Women's Center.
CLICK HERE TO DONATE IF YOU CAN
CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE LIVE STREAM ON MAY 15
-Released May 8, 2020-
EIGHT PEOPLE WILL GET TO WATCH THE HAIRFARMERS LIVE AND IN PERSON from the top of the Sea to Sky Gondola on May 15th to help raise funds for Sea to Sky Community Services!
**SILENT AUCTION**
Package for Two includes:
✨Lift tickets for a private gondola ride
✨A private table for two
✨Choice of a Moscow Mule or Gin & Tonic upon arrival at the Summit
✨A delicious pre-packaged dinner prepared by the Sea to Sky Gondola Chefs:
-Braised Beef Short Rib with Espresso BBQ Sauce
-Apple Cider Cole Slaw
-Potato and Yam Gratin
✨A Bottle of Garland Crest Chardonnay OR Shiraz
(Please note: all physical distancing measures will be in place)
Event Date: Friday, May 15th, 5pm-7pm
Venue: Sea to Sky Gondola summit
Retail Value: Priceless!
Opening Bid: $150/couple
Minimum Bid Increments: $25
Update as of 12:30pm, May 13th: The next available bid is $625
Email info@whistlerblackcombfoundation.com with your bid. Auction closes at noon on Thursday, May 14.
For anyone else, the event will be Live Streamed, so tune in and make a donation if you can! https://www.facebook.com/WhistlerLiveStream/
All proceeds go towards Sea to Sky Community Services - thank you in advance for your support <3
-Released April 27, 2020-
Feed the Need at the Whistler Food Bank
The Whistler Food Bank spent more on groceries during the last couple of weeks than it would normally spend in an entire year. During the COVID-19 crisis, demand for emergency food is ongoing and the need for emotional support is growing.
The Food Bank is now helping 400 - 600 community members per week (they would normally serve 50 people per week). These are your neighbours, long time locals, children and youth. Hardworking people who have never considered using a food bank before have come for emergency food bags, lining up with dozens of others before the doors open. Food is a basic human right and many families in Whistler are in need, with both parents laid off and no foreseeable return to work.
Can you help keep our essential community services running in Whistler?
The goal is to raise $100,000 ASAP. Please donate if you can and share with a friend.
TIP: A donation of $175 feeds a family of four for one week. Please help and donate today.
WBF MATCHING GRANT: A group of 7 local businesses came together to make a donation to Feed the Need and the WBF matched their donation. “Whistler Community Services and the incredible work they are doing through this crisis has definitely been a priority for us. Our local businesses have always been so supportive of the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation’s fundraising initiatives and matching the generosity of this group was an easy decision.”
These 7 businesses are challenging other businesses to do the same. Check out the Press Release to learn more about this story.
The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation is matching donations up to $15,000 to help raise funds for the Whistler Community Foundation Emergency Fund. The emergency fund is an unrestricted fund that flows 100% of the assets to the community in times of crisis. The fund can be used for organizations from Whistler & Pemberton. Please give generously if you can. Donations can be made via the link below, and/or by purchasing tickets to the "Stay at Home Gala" hosted by the Whistler Community Foundation.
UPDATE:
Thank you to everyone who donated and attended The Stay at Home Gala. The event raised just over $23,000. With our $15,000 matching grant, the total amount raised was $38,000 of their $50,000 goal. View the full release here: https://www.whistlerfoundation.com/media-release/
-Released March 20, 2020-
The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation has committed to match any donations to the Whistler Food Bank up to $20,000. Our community needs your support – please give generously if you can and we will get through this together. Thank You From The Bottom Of Our Hearts! ❤
DONATE
-Released March 21, 2020-
The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation is matching donations up to $15,000 to the Pemberton Food Bank. Help us get food and basic needs to the people who need it the most. Donate today!
DONATE
-Released March 23, 2020-
In response to the COVID-19 virus, Squamish Helping Hands and the Squamish Food Bank are preparing for an unprecedented demand in those experiencing food insecurity in Squamish.
The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation has committed to match any donations to the Squamish Food Bank/Squamish Helping hands up to $15,000.
They have set up a fund to collect your donations and all funds raised will be shared by Squamish Food and Squamish Helping Hands as they work together to ensure the food needs of community members are met.
Our community needs your support- please give generously and will will get through this together. Thank You From The Bottom Of Our Hearts.
Katz Amsterdam Charitable Trust
-Released March 30, 2020-
The Katz Amsterdam Charitable Trust announced 2.5 Million Dollars to support Employees & Mountain Communities. Whistler Community Services Society and The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation received $100,000 each to support our community through this COVID 19 crisis. We will be forever grateful to Rob & Elana for this incredible support that will help us continue to support all the amazing non profits and the most critical needs of our community.