Another year of unseasonable weather, but another great turnout by the community to support local kids with cancer.

JCI Kootenay, Fort Steele Heritage Town and the Family Fishing Derby volunteers and sponsors have a lot to be proud of after hosting an amazing fundraising event on Family Day.

Topping last year’s similar event at Fort Steele, the 2016 version of the derby raised nearly $7,900 that will be donated to the Canadian Cancer Society who will then distribute the funding to local kids with cancer and their families to support treatment, travel and other expenses incurred while they fight the disease.

In addition to the fundraising, two local families won amazing vacation prizes donated by long time Derby Whale Sponsors. Dean and Tracey Uphill of Dacota Freight sponsored a trip to Disneyland for a young cancer survivor and her family from Fernie; this is a legacy Dean and Tracey have generously continued every year the Derby has been held.

When contacted about the good news the family was extremely grateful. “This is such an amazing event. The phone call we received last night just made my year. We told our son and daughter and they both cried they were so happy.”

Sunshine Houseboats Ltd. also sponsored a houseboat vacation for a young boy and his family from Creston who were very excited and made the trip to Fort Steele with many family members to enjoy the Family Fun Day festivities.

Hundreds of other prizes and draw items were given away throughout the day, including kids who took away a big screen LED TV as well as an X-BoxOne complete with two games courtesy of Mike Hambalek at Caliper Machine & Hydraulics. The big adult prize was a two-man pontoon boat valued at over $3,000, which went to the winner of the closely contested adult casting contest that had everyone on the edge of their seats.

In order to keep everyone fuelled and hydrated for the day, food and refreshments were made available by Whale Sponsors Tim Hortons and Ricks Fine Meats & Sausage, as well as great donations from local grocery stores and bakeries throughout the region.

This event would not be possible without the amazing support of the dozens of community sponsors and volunteers, as well as the participation of everyone that attended and donated generously. JCI Kootenay is proud have brought this event to the community and even prouder of the lasting impact it will make on those local families that will benefit the most.

To find out more about JCI Kootenay and how you can create new opportunities for yourself and your community please visit them at Facebook.com/JCIKootenay or email [email protected]

Special thanks to the Derby’s Whale Sponsors: Dacota Freight Servcies Ltd., Caliper Machine & Hydraulics, Sunshine Houseboat Vacations, Tim Hortons Cranbrook, Genex Marketing, Fort Steele Heritage Town, Rick’s Fine Meats & Sausage, Economy Vacuum Tankers, Williams Moving and Storage, Kootenay Knit & Apparel, Summit 107.

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