As we welcome October, I’m still thrilled by what Parkites did in September to aid some of our worthiest causes.
We started with another delightful Miner’s Day, followed by Tour de Suds, then moved on to a smashingly successful Park City Humanitarians’ Day of Service, and ended with a sold out, record-setting Live Like Sam gala last Saturday.
It’s the right time to reflect on the many stars in our philanthropic universe — and the ski-town energy that continues to draw people and resources few communities can match.
Consider a few highlights. This year’s Miner’s Day raised $103,000 for Rotary Club community grants. The club distributed $40,000 among local nonprofits. Parade float proceeds benefited the Park City Education Foundation, Park City Museum and Historical Society, the Egyptian Theatre, and Wild Hearts Sanctuary. The Bark City 5K aided the animal rescue group Fetch Cares, while registration proceeds helped Rotary International partner Days for Girls.
More than a thousand visitors and locals spent the Day of Service stocking food pantries, maintaining trails, and caring for animals at more than 30 area nonprofits.
Co-founder Ron Jackenthal says the Live Like Sam gala at the Grand Hyatt sold out weeks before Saturday’s event, their $500,000 fundraising goal well within reach.
Mountain Trails Foundation once again produced the super fun Tour de Suds race, raising money and awareness for our area trails.
Next up: Sunrise Rotary’s Shot Ski on Oct. 11, with a record goal of $70,000 and a parallel mission: reclaiming the longest shot ski title lost to Breckenridge Rotary last year.
Such eager volunteerism and generosity are a rightful source of pride, but what may escape notice is that many business people and employees helping drive our Mountainkind spirit were once visitors themselves. Many leaders of our beloved nonprofits also discovered Park City as vacationers.
In fact, of the last 25 “Small Town Stories” chamber partner profiles appearing in each weekend’s Park Record, 18 first saw Park City as visitors — and fell in love. Of the seven nonprofit leaders profiled this past year, six share the same story. Their contributions, along with those of many of our more than a thousand chamber partners, often trace back to a single inspiring visit — one individual, one family at a time.
Of course, these deeply engaged Parkites now rely on today’s visitors to sustain their businesses and support their families. The last economic impact study shows that visitor-spending generated more than $1.5 billion annually.
The message is clear: Business owners and service agency leaders — many of whom, like us, were once visitors themselves — depend on visitor dollars to sustain their enterprises and fuel our local economy.
But their impact doesn’t stop there. These same businesses turn around and give back, donating time, money and resources to our area’s nonprofits. Together, this cycle of support not only keeps our economy thriving but also strengthens the very community fabric that makes our home so special.
As we gear up for civic events like Shot Ski and celebrate Live Like Sam, let’s appreciate the many neighbors and community leaders who arrived here with fresh eyes, marveled at their first-ever Park City ski day, put down roots, and continue making Park City better.
Over time, visitor and local can become indistinguishable. After all, that open-hearted togetherness is a big part of the Mountainkind community we are privileged to call home.
Jennifer Wesselhoff is the president and CEO of the Park City Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau.