Schweitzer, nonprofits team up to help community

SANDPOINT — With this deal, everyone wins. Really.

All area skiers and snowboarders get to hit one of the best resorts in the country for $10 on Friday, Dec. 15. Yep, you read that right, ten dollars. In turn, Schweitzer Mountain Resort, Bonner Partners in Care and Community Cancer Services get an invaluable boost in their efforts to help the community’s residents.

“What it means to Schweitzer – illnesses can strike anyone at any time,” said Schweitzer Mountain Resort marketing manager Dig Chrismer. “They are non-discriminatory and can affect parents, children, siblings, spouses and friends.”

A cancer diagnosis is life altering and Community Cancer Services exists to help everyone facing that cancer journey resources and support as they go.

“It can happen to anyone and CCS plays a pivotal role for those families affected,” Chrismer added. “It’s a huge piece.”

Supporting Bonner Partners in Care is just as important to the resort and its employees, Chrismer said.

“They help so many people that we love and care about stay healthy by providing that important health care safety net in our community through the free clinic,” she added. “As BPIC says on their website, a healthy community is a productive community and we couldn’t agree more.”

The two organizations give back to the community tenfold. It made sense, Schweitzer officials said, to dedicate one day to the community and help CCS and BPIC.

“We at Schweitzer just hope we can match that through our $10 lift ticket day,” Chrismer said.

One hundred percent of all ticket revenue — every last penny — goes to the two groups and Schweitzer wouldn’t have it any other way. Last year, more than $23,000 was raised with $10,257 going to BPIC and $13,493 going to CCS.

Since the event began with “A Day for Heather” — proceeds were shared with “Heather’s House,” an organization that focused on supporting families dealing with cancer — both the day and the beneficiaries have evolved. The bottom line? More than $172,000 has been donated to two very worthy Sandpoint non-profits.

“Community Cancer Services grew out of “Heather’s House” and now provides a wide variety of support and resources for people fighting cancer,” said Mary Weber-Quinn, Schweitzer’s events & activities director. “Incorporating Bonner Partners in Care into this day makes sense to us. Two great causes: one helping our Sandpoint neighbors when they are ill and the other helping people who can’t afford medical care. We are very proud of both of these organizations.”

The resort had originally scheduled Community Day for Friday, Dec. 8, but decided to delay the event a week in hopes of having more lifts and terrain available to the public, Weber-Quinn said.

“Having more terrain open for just $10 is a great draw for this incredibly important fundraising effort. We want this day to be a win-win for everybody,” she added.

Lift tickets are available directly from the organizations, at Schweitzer’s lift ticket window on Friday, Dec. 15 or online at schweitzer.com today.

You say you don’t ski or snowboard (or you have to work) but still want to help out? Go online, pick your cause and buy a ticket. Then cuddle up in front of the fire or under a warm blanket. Or head out the door and enjoy the day with your co-workers.

Information: schweitzer.com

Caroline Lobsinger can be reached by email at clobsinger@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @CarolDailyBee.