In British Columbia, Whistler Blackcomb donated approximately 20 pallets of food. Food from their warehouse was delivered to food banks in Whistler, Pemberton, and Squamish, and six pallets of food were sent to Vancouver and the Fraser Valley to support various charitable organizations, food banks, and soup kitchens. The resort also donated 2,000 CLIF BARs to the Whistler Food Bank.
In California, a Northstar California Resort truck, loaded to maximum capacity, delivered food to the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District (TTUSD). This food will be used to continue the student lunch program, which provides free meals to kids under 18, now through grab-and-go meals that can be picked up every weekday.
In Colorado, Leadville Mayor Greg Labbe and a local team picked up approximately 4,000 pounds of fresh produce and food items from the Keystone Resort warehouse. The food was delivered to the St. George’s Episcopal Church for community meals and food distribution.
Katz donates $2.3million
Meanwhile, CEO Rob Katz, and his wife, Elana Amsterdam announced a personal donation of more than $2.5 million to provide immediate support for both Vail Resorts employees and the mountain towns where the Company operates.
Katz will donate $1.5 million in immediate emergency relief grants that will benefit more than a dozen local organizations providing critical services in Eagle, Summit and Gunnison counties in Colo.; Park City, Utah; Lake Tahoe, Calif.; Whistler, B.C.; Vermont; Stevens Pass, Wash.; and Jackson Hole, Wyo. (home of Grand Teton Lodge Company).
An additional $1 million is being donated by Katz to create a new fund within Vail Resorts’ EpicPromise Employee Foundation, which helps the Company’s employees respond to unpredictable setbacks, including medical events. This fund will help meet the increased need for assistance due to the impacts of COVID-19, ensuring that the Foundation has the resources to address this challenge.
“I cannot recall another moment in my lifetime that has caused so much disruption to our lives – to our work, to our health and to our communities” said Katz.
“Throughout this incredibly challenging time, two of our absolute priorities have been, and will continue to be, the health and wellbeing of our employees and mountain communities. What makes our resorts so special is where they’re located and the passionate people who live there. As we navigate this situation, it’s essential we continue to support our employees and the vitality of our communities, providing partnership when it’s needed most.”
The donation will be distributed through the Katz Amsterdam Charitable Trust, which was established to support mountain communities, with an initial focus on eliminating the stigma of mental illness and increasing access to mental and behavioral healthcare.
Since 2016, the Trust has donated over $10 million total, including nearly $6.5 million in mental and behavioral health grants, to communities where Vail Resorts operates.
