Heavenly Foundation to host Winter Welcome on Dec. 9

By Aimi Xistra-Rich
The Heavenly Ski and Snowboard Foundation will host the Winter Welcome on Friday, December 9th, 2011 from 5:00pm to 10:00pm at Heavenly’s California Lodge on Saddle Rd. at the top of Ski Run Blvd. Celebrate the coming of Winter in après style, the event will feature heavy gourmet hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction and a beer and wine bar; live music will be played by local musicians Jerel Dutton and JT Chevallier.

Proceeds benefit the HSSF Scholarship Fund; advance tickets are $40 and can be purchased by calling Foundation Director Aimi Xistra-Rich at 530.314.9285 or by e-mail at aimix@heavenlyfoundationteam.org.

“What a great way to welcome the Tahoe Winter,” said Foundation board president Jim Plake. “We have a really fun party planned with great friends, food and drinks at an amazing après spot. Throw in the live music and it’s going to be a rocking party!”

Through the resort's ECHO program, Heavenly has generously donated the Cal Bar venue and allowed the Foundation to host the bar to raise additional funds. The bar will be serving beer and wine for $5 a glass. We will also serve tasty treats from Sugar Pine Bakery.

The Silent Auction will include a 2012-13 California Lodge parking pass, skis and bindings from Sports LTD, a beautiful holiday wreath, framed pictures, white water raft trips, gift baskets and other items.

Tickets will also be available at the door of the event for $50; however, advance purchase is recommended, as quantities are limited.

About the Heavenly Ski and Snowboard Foundation
The Heavenly Ski and Snowboard Foundation is committed to facilitating and leading the South Shore community in the development of programs to encourage the youth in our communities to participate in the winter sports of alpine skiing and snowboarding. The HSSF operates independently on donations and fundraisers. In addition to providing a safe skiing and snowboarding experience to those within the foundation, outreach and community involvement also play a big part of the base of the Foundation. Throughout the winter season the HSSF provides scholarships to families whose children would not be able to participate in the race program, hosts a non-race Ski P.E. program through the middle school, works with the SOS (Snowsports Outreach Society) to coordinate a program with Heavenly and the Boys and Girls Club of South Lake Tahoe enabling community youth the opportunity to ski or snowboard, and organizes multiple racing events, like the Kinder Kup Race Series, the Emily Clothier Memorial Far West Finals and fundraisers including December’s Winter Welcome, and the annual spring wine gala, Grapes and Gates, at Edgewood. For more information on the Heavenly Ski and Snowboard Foundation visitwww.heavenlyfoundationteam.org or call 530.541.7354.

— Writer Aimi Xistra-Rich is the Executive Director Heavenly Ski & Snowboard Foundation. She can be reached at
(530) 314-9285 or aimix@heavenlyfoundationteam.org.