Friend of BOEC,
All of us at BOEC want to wish you a very happy New Year and to share our hope for a healthy 2021. We are very grateful to each of you for your support during these challenging times as so many of you stepped forward to support BOEC and those we serve through our adaptive programs.
As we look back on 2020 what we know to be true is that through thick and thin our community of friends and supporters have our back. You stepped forward to help us raise critically needed funds during both our first ever summer campaign and our year-end annual appeal, to help us account for loss of program revenues. The number of new donors who gave this year hit an all time high and the Tee It Up Golf Scramble raised a record amount. Banff Film Festival 2020 was also a record breaker welcoming close to 1500 guests over two nights to enjoy some great films and to support BOEC.
In this month's issue of BOEC's Inspirations newsletter, we share stories about those who make BOEC what it is. We are excited to introduce you to one of BOEC's founders, Aris Sophocles, whose vision from the very beginning was to build something that would last. Aris wanted not only to provide access to outdoor adventure to those who may not otherwise have the opportunity, but to also teach young people to carry on that vision for many years to come. We are very grateful to Aris for his ongoing commitment to this organization and for continuing to play a key role to this day. We also share a story about one of our own amazing team members who is, in fact, a great example of Aris' vision. Claire DiCola came to BOEC 15 years ago fresh out of college and started as an intern to learn about adaptive sports. Claire epitomizes the young, dedicated, passionate team that makes BOEC what it is and today.
Gravity Haus is this month's Donor Spotlight and we are excited to announce a new corporate partnership with this growing company. An initial donation, partnership incentives and a company giving campaign were all the idea of Gravity Haus's CFO Kevin Kennedy whose own daughter Ainsley, is a participant in BOEC's adaptive ski program. Thank you Gravity Haus!
In closing, we want you all to know how very humbled we are by your kindness and generosity. Every amazing individual, foundation and organization who gave to BOEC this past year and through our year-end appeal has exceeded our expectations and for that we will be forever grateful. We enter 2021 with the hope that the challenges so many continue to face will soon be behind us and a commitment to ensuring that BOEC continues to provide access to life changing outdoor activities for those we serve for many years to come.
Take a look at this short video and see in person how thankful many members of the BOEC staff and board truly are:
