For its support of the annual Ski for MS event and the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, Mount Washington Alpine Resort has been awarded the 2011 Division Award of Merit, non-member.

Entering its fifth year, Ski for MS is a fundraising event for the North Vancouver Island Chapter of the MS Society of Canada. Participants raise pledges in advance (minimum $125 for an adult, less for other age groups) and then are treated to a free day of skiing or snowboarding on Mount Washington, a barbecue lunch, entry to the Obstacle Course and Group Ride and a Ski for MS T-shirt.

Mount Washington Alpine Resort is the major sponsor of and the site for Ski for MS.

Since its inception, Ski for MS has raised a total of $60,798 in pledges, sponsorship dollars, barbecue proceeds and day of event donations. Proceeds of Ski for MS are used to provide local programs and services to those affected by MS on North Vancouver Island, and have greatly enhanced our chapter鈥檚 annual research donation to find the cure for MS.

Ski for MS was the brainchild of Mike Manara, snowschool director at Mount Washington Alpine Resort.

Manara came to the North Vancouver Island Chapter in 2006 with a desire to have a fundraiser for the MS Society of Canada at Mount Washington. His longtime friend had recently been diagnosed with MS and Manara made a promise at this friend鈥檚 wedding to initiate a fundraiser with proceeds going to the MS Society of Canada.

Manara worked very closely with the North Vancouver Island Chapter and together they came up with the structure for the event. He then took the idea to Mount Washington Alpine Resort management, who wholeheartedly supported the fundraiser and provide annual financial, staff and on-site support for the event.

鈥淲e are very happy to support Ski for MS and the MS Society of Canada,鈥� says Manara. 鈥淲e started out wanting to raise some money for the MS Society, but I had no idea it would be this successful!鈥�

Mount Washington Alpine Resort not only provides the venue for Ski for MS, but also a discount on lift tickets, advertising for the event through its publicity materials, assistance with day-of-event logistics (check-in location, barbecue, obstacle course, closing ceremonies location, office space during the day), special event staff and volunteer involvement in planning and producing the event, and access to sponsors and suppliers already affiliated with the mountain.

鈥淪ki for MS would not be possible without Mount Washington鈥檚 full support and assistance 鈥� we are very grateful to have such an outstanding partnership with Mount Washington Alpine Resort,鈥� says Harry Donnelly, chairperson of the North Vancouver Island Chapter.

This year, Ski for MS will take place Jan. 30. More information about Ski for MS is available at www.mssociety.ca/chapters/northvanisl or by calling 250-339-0819.

To register for Ski for MS, go to www.mssociety.ca/msfundraising.

鈥� MS Society of Canada

鈥� North Vancouver Island

Chapter