New skis for schools

South Canoe, Grindrod, Ranchero, Salmon Arm West and Shuswap Middle schools are headed into the winter season with some new nordic ski equipment!

Pat Danforth, retired teacher and a member of the Elementary School Pirate Loppet and its Skis for Schools program, is pleased to announce that thanks to a $3,200 donation from the Shuswap Community Foundation, a $,4700 donation from SASCU and $2,800 raised at the 2019 Pirate Loppet, the purchase of the skis, boots, and poles for the five schools was made possible!

Each year, all funds raised from the Pirate Loppet are awarded to one or more schools to build their cross country ski equipment inventory. The additional grant from SASCU and Shuswap Community Foundation significantly boosted the fund so that five schools could be targeted this year.

Over the past nine years, 14 district schools have shared $31,200 raised by this event. Through the School Ski Program hundreds of students have been introduced to cross country skiing and the beauty of the Larch Hills. Go to skilarchhills.ca for Pirate Loppet photos and details.