Blue Life Choices, Mindful-Selfless, Schools, Solution Strategies
Community, Connections and Creativity Save the Sea
Nov
Community, Connections and Creativity Can Save the Sea
We just need one self-less act at a time, then pay it forward. Here’s a story that will put a smile on your face. The Powderhound Preview & Fundraiser, Pine Mountain Sports 19th annual welcome to winter party, played to a full house at the Tower Theater in downtown Bend, OR on November 14, 2018. The Powderhound Preview & Fundraiser is a ski film festival that’s comprised entirely of films and slideshows created by local skiers and snowboarders. This event is a stellar example of connection and support for our Bend community. This year there is an after-story that demonstrates the “snowball effect” of generosity, caring and self-less acts – one of the key “blue life” choices we celebrate in the THE QUEST FOR BLUE PLANET SUPER HEROES. You are going to love this story!
Some Background: Dan McGarigle, owner of Pine Mountain Sports and his team work tirelessly to gather schwag and raffle prizes enough to generate new records for both of the fundraising portions this year. Dan shares, “According to our audience, it was another great show. Personally, I think it was the best collection of films to date. Together, we raised over $13,500 for Central Oregon Trail Alliance (COTA) and Deschutes Co. Search and Rescue (S&R). Additionally, via Pine’s Community Ambassador program we raised local awareness and over $49,000 for Family Access Network. To date Powderhound has now raised over $100,000 for COTA and S&R. Pines Community Ambassador Program, in just 3 years has raised an additional $100,000 to help those in need.The Powderhound has grown to be the event we always knew it could be and this has been made possible by the community of photographers and film makers willing to share their works while helping those here in Central Oregon.”
The core and heart of Powderhound comes from a passion shared by every one of their filmmakers. This year, Julia Alvarado was the youngest to ever have a film in the show in all of its 19 years. At age 10, she submitted her entry, one that connected snow, snowballs and saving the ocean. We wrote about her in an earlier article. (see her film here)
The moment Julia’s film concluded the entire audience of close to 500 people sprang to their feet and gave her a standing ovation. Dan had coordinated with local Interstate Bank to provide Julia with a $100 gift card in gratitude for the message of hope for the ocean – and the environment – that she shared.
So what does a 10 year old girl do with $100? Well, this young lady bought the domain name for “snowball saves the sea” and returned to her school Green Team on November 28 to donate the remaining amount to that club. Talk about a self-less act that pays it forward. In the same spirit that Pine Mountain Sports gives to the community – and gave to Julia – Julia gave back. She lives the philosophy that is the “snowball effect our “Blue Life” actions generate.
No choice or action is too small. When we connect, share our creativity and open our solutions to the community we all win. Especially our environment, our oceans. Start YOUR Blue Life “snowball effect” today! Share it with a young person this holiday season.
