By Pete McIntyre

‘We wanted to see what we could do to help’: SilverStar event raises funds for Aussie fire victims

Jan 9, 2020 | 2:36 PM

It was all for the Aussies.

Local businesses and staff at SilverStar Mountain Resort came together to provide support for Australia as the country deals with one of its worst wildfire seasons ever.

A Sausage Sizzle event Wednesday, organized by a couple of Australian staff members, raised more than $38,000 for the nation of 25 million people.

“The Sausage Sizzle and raffle raised more than $12,800 and then Jane Cann and family, former SilverStar owner and SilverStar Mountain Resort, matched the money raised bringing the grand total to over $38,000,” Chantelle Deacon, media relations manager for SilverStar said.

“The funds will go towards the Community Enterprise Foundation: National Bushfire Disaster Appeal which can distribute funds to affected areas nationwide and WIRES (NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service Inc.) due to the devastation to many native Australian animals,” Deacon added.

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Organizers and SilverStar staffers, Rhianon Hutcheson and Darren Cook from Australia, say it’s been the most devastating bushfire season they have ever known.

“Given the impact it is having on communities and wildlife back home, we wanted to see what we could do to help. We are constantly thinking of the thousands of homes that have been lost, firefighters who have died and the loss of wildlife back home,” Hutcheson said.

Hutcheson and Cook say they are at a loss for words for the support.

“We are so grateful for the generosity of the local community, and for that to then be matched by SilverStar and Jane Cann and family is overwhelming. It means so much to us and to all the Australians here. We are so proud to send the money raised to those impacted.”

The pair are thanking all the volunteers, local businesses and SilverStar community for the incredible support.

“Wednesday’s fundraiser was such a huge success,” Deacon said. “We are so proud of our staff for coming together and hosting this fundraiser. The village was filled with Okanagan residents, staff and representatives from local businesses.”

Local business who supported event were: Blundstone Canada, COBS Bread, Silver Star Fire Department, Bannister GM Vernon, Red Top Footwear, Dainya Sapergia Photography, Bliss Pilates Studio, Vernon Castanet, MAG Silver Star, Helmut’s Sausage Kitchen, Wholesale Club, Eat Good Market and Save-On-Foods.

by Pete McIntyre

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