Every September, the Rotary Club of Cranbrook Sunrise hosts The Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo (KRGF). The KRGF is considered a premier event for cyclists (the last one had riders from across Canada, several American States and Europe).

The Gran Fondo is also a major fundraiser for great needs and projects. Due to the uncertainty of the pandemic and the need to ensure participants and sponsors could plan their involvement, two months ago Rotary made the decision to not host a Gran Fondo in 2021.

“As the pandemic lockdowns are eased, the negative impacts and the very real challenges faced by youth are being witnessed,” said David Savage, Cranbrook Sunrise Club president.

In lieu of the Fondo, the Rotary Sunrise Club has organized a raffle for a Joseph Cross original painting (pictured above and below) titled, “Spring Training for the Fondo.”

The Spring Training for the Fondo (part of the International Artist Magazine Challenge #124, Landscapes) will be published in The International Artist Magazine #140, August/September issue.

“This is very high recognition and praise worldwide,” Savage pointed out.

Joseph Cross will be featured in the magazine including:

* The inspiration for the painting.

* The design strategy & the working process.

Raffle Ticket Sales consist of 1,000 Tickets at $20 per ticket.

* All proceeds will go towards the EKFH Youth Foundry.

The reality of youth mental illness is staggering.

• 300,000 youth in BC – one in five – need mental health or substance use services.
• Of those, as few as 25% receive the care they need.
• Suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people in Canada.
• 75% of mental illness begins before age 25.
• Youth mental illness is ranked as the 2nd highest Canadian hospital care expenditure.

Hosted by Ktunaxa Kinbasket Child and Family Services Society, Foundry East Kootenay is bringing together partner organizations that will address the health and wellness needs of young people and their families.

The centre will offer primary care, youth and family peer supports, walk-in counselling, mental health and substance use services, and social services all under one roof, making it easier for youth to get help when they need it. The East Kootenay Foundation for Health (EKFH) goal is to raise $1.4 million to support the Foundry East Kootenay.

Ticket Draw: Saturday, September 11, 2021 (the postponed Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo date).

If you would like to purchase a ticket you can scan the QR code (below).

You must be in British Columbia at the time of purchasing the raffle ticket.

e-KNOW

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