More than just a bunch of ski bums...

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort employees give back year-round.

With Old Bill's Fun Run quickly approaching on September 8 in downtown Jackson, we're going to be taking a look at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort employees and their involvement in community non-profits. Keep checking back as every day this week, we'll be adding two new posts!

Community Garden
Resort Lodging's Operations Manager, Jenny Rowe, has had a plot with the Community Garden for 2 years. It is supported mainly by a $35 user fee the gardeners pay each season and Old Bill’s Fun Run donations. The Garden is great for people like Jenny who don’t have yards or a place to have a garden. It also has areas for the senior center and schools. They supply all equipment and together the gardeners maintain the shed, equipment, common area and compost.

Cathedral Voices Chamber Choir
Mountain Sports School Reservationist Laura Goldstein is on the board for the Cathedral Voices Chamber Choir. Established in 2003, the organization is dedicated to excellence in choral chamber music performance and education.Its mission is to foster a creative environment for vocalists, focusing on challenging repertoire appropriate for a small group of voices.

Avalanche Forecast Support Organization
Funds from Old Bill's enable the center, which is also a partner with Jackson hole Mountain Resort, to begin issuing daily avalanche forecast in October and continue those forecast into mid April. This past season, snow depths and funding allowed the center to reopen and issue daily forecast for a two week period from Memorial Day until June 12. These funds also allow the center to post weekly snowpack summaries, increase our field presence and maintain a network of remote automated weather stations. The AFSO's mission is to raise funds from the community to support the operations of the Bridger-Teton National Forest Avalanche Center.

Habitat For Humanity
Mountain Sports School employee Lauren Conrad works with Habitat for Humanity. Habitat is a good place to invest your philanthropic dollars because: Your donation is leveraged by volunteer labor. Each dollar donated revolves through the program, allowing your donation to help multiple families.Since profits from the Habitat ReStore cover most of Habitat's administrative costs, more of your donation goes directly to building homes.

Teton Village Fire Department
Risk & Safety Manager Jon Bishop volunteers with the Teton Village Fire Department, providing fire protection and prevention servies as well as emergency medical aid in Teton Village and surrounding communities. Since 1984, the well-trained volunteers respond to emergency fire and medical calls.

PAWS - Mountain Sports School Senior Manager Kathleen Roe works with PAWS, a group dedicated "to advocate for animals and promote responsible pet ownership through local outreach programs. We are a resource for education, support and financial assistance, fostering collaborative relationships within the community." PAWS programs include working with the Teton County Animal Shelter to help animals in need, Mutt Mitts to keep our trails and pathways clean, SafePaws, fostering of pets in domestic abuse cases, while Spay/Neuter and Muffie Becks McDoc Fund help with medical financial issues. Another big project is Sophie's Place, Jackson's dog park that is funded with donations creating a community gathering spot. Roe has been involved with PAWS for six years and on the board for four years, getting involved to help keep Jackson dog friendly as the population grows.

Santa Claus Fund
Mags Carrigan, Childhood Development Manager, is on the Santa Claus Fund board. The fund gives children in financially difficult situations a better Christmas, with volunteers and parental involvement volunteers do their best to fulfill each child's Christmas list. "What could be more rewarding than arranging for Santa to bring over 200 Valley children exactly what they want for Christmas?" Carrigan said.

Vertical Harvest
Brand Director Anna Olson is on the advisory committee for Vertical Harvest. The project mission is to build a 30' vertical greenhouse in the heart of downtown Jackson, grow premium grade vegetables and fruit in town 365 days a year, provide inclusive employment opportunities for people with disabilities, create hands on learning for kids, visitors and community members and to promote Jackson as a leader in sustainable practices.

Teton County Fair Board
Business Development Director, Bill Lewkowitz has been on the Teton County Fair Board for nearly 13 years. The Fair board helps keep many western activities and traditions alive and well in the community. It also maintains the fairgrounds for year-round use for events such as the rodeo.

Jackson Hole Therapeutic Riding Association
Julie Calder, Jackson Hole Resort Lodging's Marketing Director, has been involved with the Therapeutic Riding Association for over 10 years. Currently a board member, she was also the board chair from 2008 to 2010. "One notable part," Calder said, "Is now we invite veterans to come participate in the summer through Honoring Out Veterans."

Old Bill's History
The first event of its kind in the nation, the idea for Old Bill’s Fun Run for Charities came from an anonymous couple affectionately known as Mr. and Mrs. Old Bill. Their vision was to expand the charitable pie in Jackson Hole by encouraging the entire community to participate in philanthropy.

In the months leading up to the event, local donors make gifts of all sizes to their favorite causes. Old Bill’s makes giving easy as donors need only fill out one form and write one check to give to as many local organizations as they like.

On the second Saturday of September, over 3,000 people come together for one of the biggest celebrations of community spirit and support in the country. The day is filled with a Fun Run and Walk, entertainment, food and informational booths. The magic of a community celebration, combined with ease of giving has increased awareness about the work of local organizations and has enabled them to raise nearly $75 million in the last fourteen years. As much as the money, the ideal of a broadly philanthropic, caring community is enriching Jackson Hole and the lives of its citizens.

For more information, head over to Old Bill's Fun Run.