NEWS RELEASE
COLLINGWOOD GENERAL AND MARINE HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
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Collingwood General and Marine Foundation is proud to announce the return of the 24 hour Blue Mountain fundraiser, presented by Freedom 55 Financial, on Feb. 23-24 at Blue Mountain Resort in Collingwood.
The event features 24 hours of relay skiing and a new component of walking and running in support of Special Olympics Ontario and the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital Foundation. Last year’s event raised $64,000.
“At Freedom 55 Financial, we believe in supporting the communities where we live and work,” says Abbie MacMillan, vice president, Freedom 55 Financial. “We’re excited to return as presenting sponsor for 24 hour Blue Mountain again this year and are so grateful for the opportunity to help make a difference in the lives of Canadians.”
Jory Pritchard-Kerr, executive director of Collingwood General and Marine Hospital Foundation is excited to partner again with 24 hour Blue Mountain.
“Last year’s inaugural event was a great success. We are honoured to be chosen again this year as a charity partner of 24 hour Blue Mountain. As the major trauma centre and orthopedic centre of excellence for the South Georgian Bay area, we are committed to providing excellent healthcare to our full time residents and the thousands of skiers who grace our slopes every winter. Funds raised by this event will support our frontline physicians and staff with state of the art equipment.”
Glenn MacDonell, president and CEO of Special Olympics Ontario is pleased to see the return of Blue Mountain fundraiser.
“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our 50th anniversary, than to have the return of the 24 hour Blue Mountain event,” said MacDonell. “The inaugural event last year was a huge success and I know that this event is going to continue to grow every year.”
MacDonell was also pleased to see Brian Stemmle, a four-time Olympic skier, return as an ambassador for the 24 hour Blue Mountain event. Stemmle has been a Special Olympics ambassador for the past 25 years.
Hosted at Ontario’s premier ski resort, 24hour Blue Mountain promises to be a bigger and better event in 2019. The fun starts at 12 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 23, as teams comprised of five to 10 participants challenge each other over the 24-hour event.
A walk/run component will be added for those who would like to participate in the 24- hour event but may not be skiers or snowboarders. The walk/run will take place on site at the Monterra Golf Course on a groomed four kilometre trail.
“It is truly an honour to be back at the 24 hour Blue Mountain event,” said Stemmle, who flew back last year from the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea to be the ambassador for the inaugural event. “The Special Olympics is dear to my heart, and I know this event has a really bright future... I just see it getting bigger and better each year”
Companies and individuals are invited to register as part of a team, to ski, snowboard, walk or run and begin fundraising for this exciting event. Supporters will also be able to make donations online.
Date: Feb. 23-24, 2019 (24 hours)
Location: Blue Mountain, Collingwood
Start Time: 12 p.m. on Feb. 23
For more information on the event, click here.
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