Though I hardly deserve to ask for feedback as I have been a most negligent blogger, this is my first Exec Dir report... I'm kind of nervous and am hoping it is all right. (I guess it will have to be, as I have already sent it to the graphic artist putting the thing together).
As I have been published more times than I can count, I've no idea why this one should make me nervous.
Here it be:
Franklin D. Roosevelt once said “We cannot always build our future for our youth, but we can build our youth for our future.”
I couldn’t agree more.
Our third annual An Evening With… fundraising gala has a new title as of this year: Paint The Future, which speaks not only to our adult community members helping keep vital programs like The Summit alive, but also to our youth taking an active part in ‘painting’ our future.
The days and years ahead will evolve according to how we prepare our youth for them, and we have many incredible youth in our midst who are adding their own distinctive flair to the canvas that is our community.
The Summit Youth Centre has become a constantly growing, positive force in our valley, and there are more changes to come in the next year. Forays in graphic design, a second annual youth empowerment camp and continued partnering with prevention programs at David Thompson Secondary School and the Family Resource Centre are just a few of the branches that have grown from our once small and fragile seedling.
But those changes, and all those before, cannot and would not have come about if not for the support of the community, both private and corporate.
While this is a thank you initially to the sponsors of our flagship gala fundraiser, it is also to thank the many others who have aided us in the past year:
The Windermere Oilmen’s Golf Tournament participants, most notably Keith MacPhail, Hank Swartout, Rafi Tahmazian, Grant Fagerheim, Paul Wanklyn, Rick Braund, Brett Wilson and Kevin Fleury
Fitz Flooring
John Fitzsimmons
Christine Wandzura
Yolanda Fries
The Par Three Participants
Copper Point Resort, Ron Mason and Dean Forbes
Copper Point Golf Course
FirstEnergy Capital Corporation
The British Columbia Gaming Commission
The Columbia Basin Trust
The Columbia Valley Community Foundation
The District of Invermere
Everyone who has ever purchased a hot dog, raffle ticket, cookie or pop at our barbeques
Every individual who has offered a cheque to us large or small, there just is not room to name you all.
And to every kind and encouraging word, in-kind donation, offer of assistance and volunteer hours, thank you.
If I have not listed you or your organization, please know it was not for lack of gratitude, accept my apologies and contact me at summityc@telus.net to ensure I have you on our detailed sponsors webpage.
To my outgoing board of directors’ executive of 2006/2007 and my incoming executive for 2007/2008, without you none of this would have ever come about. The guidance and support you provide me with is invaluable, and although it far too often goes unheralded, it does not go unnoticed.
To the youth board members, I encourage you to use your voice to help guide our path, and always remember: you are the reason.
One more highly valuable member of The Summit must be recognized. Going about her job with diligence and a smile is Susan Davidson. Our Sue-Anne is the right arm without whom I could not function.
I look forward to our next year with anticipation. Every day that I am fortunate enough to be a part the youth centre has its own lessons, challenges and rewards, and it is with a grateful heart that I come to a close with another quote, my personal favourite, by Nellie McClung:
"I do not want to pull through life like a thread that has no knot. I want to leave something behind when I go; some small legacy of truth, some word that will shine in a dark place."
With warmest regards,
Stephanie Stevens
Executive Director
