February 09, 2016 

 

 

The Shuswap, British Columbia – A sell-out evening and over $40,000 raised seem to suggest the Shuswap is more committed than ever to getting people up on their feet and out on greenway trails. The annual Shuswap Trail Alliance fundraiser last Friday surpassed previous records raising funds for greenway trail projects throughout the Shuswap this coming year.

 

"Yahoo!" exclaimed Margaret Moores, one of the event coordinators. "The payoff in helping organize the event is watching people genuinely having a great time and the feeling the energy in the room. That makes me happy!" And it builds trails, with every dollar spent at the event going directly to 2016 trail projects.

 

The annual celebration featured MC and DJ, Patrick Ryley of EZ Rock fame, live music by the Whiskey Danglers powered by BC Sound, and local flavours prepared by Blue Canoe Bakery Cafe with help from Wild Flights Farms, Farmcrest Foods Chicken, Happy Days Dairy, Sedo Foods, Askews Foods, and sponsorship support from Shuswap Tourism. The Barley Station Brew Pub jumped in as a platinum sponsor featuring their micro-brew ales, and the Salmon Arm Firehall did a spectacular job tending bar featuring Larch Hills Winery. The evening ended on a high note with the Okanagan Enactus students driving everyone home safely in vehicles sponsored by Braby's Motors, Hilltop Toyota, Ian Gray's GM, and Jacobson Ford.  

 

Over 100 sponsors supported this year's trail fundraiser, including a notably growing list of platinum donors. "We were humbled by the response," said Winston Pain, chairperson for the Shuswap Trail Alliance. Waterways Houseboats lead the way with their Genesis 66 Houseboat. And Twin Anchors Houseboats also jumped in with their Cruise Craft II, both creating strong friendly competition for the winning bids. Also up on the platinum sponsor board was P & S Properties, TransRockies Race Series, The Woodshop, Ian F. McTavish, BDO Dunwoody, BC Sound, EZ Rock/Bell Media, Salmon Arm City Council, Barley Station Brew Pub, Pro Air Heating & Cooling, City of Enderby, Canoe Forest Products, Integrity Roofing, Sicamous District Council, Skookum Cycle & Ski, and Salmar Theatres.

 

"The event's success comes as a huge endorsement to keep going as we launch into a second decade of Shuswap Trails together," said Winston, noting that every dollar raised goes directly to support trail projects around the region. "We have an impressive list of priorities from all our regional partners for 2016, and some even bigger things coming," said Winston, pointing to new trail projects in the East, South, West, and North Shuswap as well as Enderby and Falkland areas. "And of course there's the looming rail-trail and the west bay trail projects we hope get activated this year."

 

"This is about connecting people and communities with the places we live," says Shuswap Trail Alliance Executive Director, Phil McIntyre-Paul. "It's about making our communities resilient and healthy, and fun to live in, which translates into economically viable places to live." It's also about redefining those relationships, he says, noting the recently adopted Shuswap Trails Strategy acknowledges our place within Secwepemc First Nations territory. "We are heading into a transformative decade for the Shuswap and for the trails that connect us with this place."

 

For more information on Shuswap Trails, and to make a donation to support 2016 trail projects visit www.shuswaptrails.com.

 

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For further background on this release, please contact:

 

Phil McIntyre-Paul (Executive Director)

for the Shuswap Trail Alliance

250-804-1964

phil@shuswaptrails.com  

www.shuswaptrails.com

 

Winston Pain (Chairperson)

For the Shuswap Trail Alliance

250-804-6451

wpwinston2@gmail.com