ChairLift to Success is a local fundraising event which will take place at Mount Washington on Saturday, March 12 to benefit local athletes.
In partnership with Vancouver Island Mountain Sport Society (VIMSS), all the money raised from ChairLift to Success will go toward grants for young athletes competing in mountain sports. The grants help cover travel and related competition costs for the athletes.
Nineteen-year-old Spencer Hay, the creator of ChairLift to Success, is the driving force behind this event. “I wanted to raise money to assist individuals and make a direct impact on our community. VIMSS is the perfect charity as it helps local mountain athletes pursue and excel at their sport.”
Due to the poor snow conditions over the past few years in the Comox Valley, the organization has not been able to raise as much money for athletic grants. This realization inspired Hay to start ChairLift to Success, with a goal of $2,000 to be put directly into these grants to help Valley athletes grow in their sport.
On March 12, Hay will ski for 12 hours straight at Mount Washington, being the first person on the chairlift in the morning and the last person off the lift at the end of night skiing, all with no breaks in between. Many events and surprises are planned for the day to get supporters involved and to keep Hay busy, and the whole experience will be filmed for a video to be shown to supporters and to raise more awareness of the fundraiser.
One of VIMSS’s mandates is to provide yearly grants to athletes from Vancouver Island who compete in mountain sports on the Island. Money raised from the ChairLift to Success fundraiser will provide additional grants.
“It’s amazing when someone approaches you with a new and unique idea, and then has the skill and dedication to carry out the initiative,” says VIMSS chair Karen Bonell. “We are very grateful that Spencer is volunteering so much of his time, and chose our charity for his fundraising event. We look forward to working with him in the future,” Bonell added.
“We need the help of the community to support our locals,” says Hay. To support this event and its cause, go to www.chairlifttosuccess.com or contact Hay at chairlifttosuccess@gmail.com