Big White Ski Resort and TELUS raise $27,714.25 for Giving Giggles
Big White Ski Resort and TELUS presented a cheque of $27,714.25 to Giving Giggles this morning, after raising the money through the 2016 TELUS Kelowna Cup, held at the resort on Saturday 5 March.
The money was raised through a partnership between Big White Ski Resort and TELUS, in an effort to support the KGH Foundation and the “Giving Giggles” campaign to raise money for improvements to the Perinatal Unit for premature babies at KGH.
TELUS gives where they live to help improve people’s live in local communities across Canada. They partnered with Big White to support local children and youth health in the Okanagan, as they both believe kids deserve the best chance at leading healthy lives and reaching their full potential.
All proceeds from Kelowna Cup registration went towards the Giving Giggles campaign, with TELUS matching all funds raised through registration for an additional donation.
The Kelowna Cup was originally resurrected during the 2014/2015 ski season after a 20-year-hiatus from the resort. The fundraiser takes the form of a family-friendly psychic slalom race, where each racer is allowed one run before attempting to predict their time for the second run. The closest prediction wins.
This year, a total of 227 racers took part across the Men’s, Women’s, 10-14, Under 10 and Corporate categories. $10,000 worth of prizes were handed out to the winners in each category, including skis, snowboards, bindings, watches, goggles, sunglasses.
The grand winner of the Cup was Elias Rysanek, who perfectly guessed his time of 27.45 seconds.
“I thought I’d try the race as it seemed like a great opportunity,” said Elias. “I just had trust in my guess and in my snowboard, and it paid off!”
A best-dressed award was also awarded to a father and son team dressed as Super Mario and Luigi. The pair had serious competition from other racers, who were dressed in everything from retro ski suits to kangaroo suits.
Racers started the day with breakfast and registration in Happy Valley Day Lodge before heading out for the race, held on Lower Speculation. The awards ceremony followed at 3:30pm, with racers enjoying live music and a gourmet burger BBQ.
TELUS was on-site with a critter donation table, selling snow leopard stuffies for $2 to raise further funds for Giving Giggles. TELUS also donated a mountain-themed photo booth to add excitement to the day.
Big White donated the staff hours required to organize and run the event, with over 250 staff hours going in from the Ski School, Guest Services, Food & Beverage and Mountain Operations departments to get the race up and running.
“The Big White family has been supporting local charities since 1985,” said Michael J. Ballingall, Senior Vice-President. “It's great to give to the community and the little ones of Giving Giggles with the second annual TELUS Kelowna Cup.”
Photo attached: Michael J. Ballingall, Senior Vice President at Big White Ski Resort, and Warren Carr, General Manager at TELUS Okanagan, presents cheque to Siobhan McManus at Kelowna General Hospital