Last winter Clearwater Sno-Drifters raised $1,942 during Snowarama in support of Easter Seal Camps and Easter Seal Houses in B.C. This past season, 12 snowmobile clubs across the province raised $32,467, according to a recent media release.
Since 1978, snowmobile clubs have hosted Snowarama, a fundraising event to raise funds for the BC Lions Society for Children with Disabilities.
Snowarama, like the sport of snowmobiling itself, is a family event. Every year, snowmobile enthusiasts eagerly participate in Snowarama and enjoy the fresh powder, trail rides, games, incentive prizes and more, all while raising much needed funds for B.C.’s kids with disabilities. Some of the day’s Snowarama activities include trail rides, poker runs, and a hot chili lunch served by local Lions Clubs.
“There was some great support this year from many of our clubs, and we’re honored each year to support Easter Seal services in our province,” commented Erin Hart, president for the BC Snowmobile Federation. “Many Snowarama events saw great weather and beautiful fresh powder for all our riders to enjoy, making these events even more fun to those that put so much work into fundraising.”
The first Snowarama was organized by Whipper Bill Watson in 1975 and held in Bradford, Ontario. The objective of Snowarama was to introduce an annual winter recreational event and support a worthwhile charitable endeavour. The tradition to support children with disabilities has continued to this day throughout Canada and the United States, with endorsement of the BC Snowmobile Federation (BCSF).
Easter Seals Houses in Victoria and Vancouver offers a place to stay for families while their children receive necessary medical treatments. Some families stay for just a few nights and others stay for weeks or months at a time as their child goes through major surgery or outpatient treatments like radiation, chemo or rehabilitation programs. Regardless of the time, Easter Seals homes are a comfortable and inviting home-away-from-home.
Easter Seals Camps provide once-in-a-lifetime, week-long camping experiences for over 900 children each year and charge only a small administration fee of $100. Campers are encouraged to try new activities, be creative and connect with their peers who face similar challenges in their day to day lives. Here, children with disabilities are accepted for who they are and know that at camp anything is possible!