We need your help!

The Skier Development Program’s funding has changed and the Program, as we know it, is at risk of ending within the next few weeks. Why? For the past 9 years, the Program has been primarily financed by the generous support of a program sponsor. Now, in an effort to improve the Program’s local sustainability, the sponsor has decided to match what our community can fundraise first.

The good news is that we have a great fundraiser in place that will cost you nothing. It’s called the Ferraro Foods Fundraiser. Ferraro’s will donate 10% of the money you spend at its stores to the Program. Given how much we all spend on groceries, this is significant. The only catch is that you have to pay for your groceries with a special prepaid Ferraro’s Card (just like a gift card). It’s very simple to use and we have volunteers on hand that will make the whole system as simple as possible.

Scott Fraser - U23 Trials

To save the Skier Development Program as we know it, we will be approaching the Black Jack ski community to get involved, including:

the Black Jack Executive Board
all volunteer coaches
current and former families of the:
- Race Team
- Track Attack
- Jackrabbits
- Bunnies
and finally, the remaining Black Jack club members.

Chiaki Yamomoto - BC Championships

Our goal is to raise $50,000.00 through this fundraiser. That's the equivalent of 85 families spending an average of $500/month on groceries.

This will be a big team effort and we hope that you will join. Again, it costs you nothing, and it will save an amazing Program; a program that has taught so many kids in our community a sport for life, an appreciation for the outdoors, team building, discipline, goal setting, good nutrition, and many other life skills. In addition to acting as role models for younger skiers as they rise through the program, many of our older athletes become involved with coaching and enjoy sharing the skills they have learned with the next generation of Black Jack skiers. At the highest level, the Program has produced national champions, World Junior & U23 Championship athletes, and Olympians.

Julien Locke - National ChampionshipsOur successful Program is a big contributor to our community’s “Nordic spirit” and to the fact that Rossland has the highest per capita XC skiers in North America. It’s also a strong component of our many grant applications for club infrastructure, such as grooming equipment, new and improved trails, trail lighting, etc.

Thank you in advance for considering joining this fundraiser.

Black Jack - Jackrabbits

How to join the Ferraro Foods Fundraiser:

Decide how much you typically spend at Ferraro’s on a monthly basis.
Write monthly post-dated cheques to the Black Jack Skier Development Program for an amount that makes sense for you (more info below).
Mail the cheques to:
- Box 149
- Rossland, BC
- V0G 1Y0
Once a month, the Ferraro Cards will be available for pick/drop off.

That’s it! With a little bit of effort on everyone’s part, we can save our Skier Development Program. Remember, all funds raised will be doubled by our program sponsor.

Any questions, please call 250 231-9271 or email

Notes

The Ferraro Cards do not expire, so no worries if you’re out of town for part of a month. To make things easy, we suggest writing 6 months’ worth of cheques in advance, and ideally 12 months.

The cards work just like a gift card, and can be used multiple times until they run out. The max amount per card is $250, so if your monthly cheques are for, say, $500, you will receive 2 cards per month.

You can cancel your participation at any time if need be, e.g. moving away.

Thank You on behalf of the kids and families in the Skier Development Program!