The Lift Your Spirits Ski Day held in Collingwood, Ont., has the backing of nearly 60 construction-related companies and attracts more than 130 people annually, including, from left, Caitlin Turner, Annie Bergeron, John Roberts and Sabrina Ash.
The gift: Creating Lift Your Spirits Ski Day
The reason: To raise money for several charities
A few years ago, Gary Miller was having lunch with some colleagues in the construction industry when the conversation turned to raising money for charity.
"I said 'our industry is large enough, we should do something,' " recalled Mr. Miller, a managing partner at Equinox Development Inc., a Toronto-based developer.
At first the group considered holding a golf tournament, but Mr. Miller balked. "I wanted to do something different," he said. He suggested organizing a day-long ski outing in January at a resort north of Toronto.
That led to the start of Lift Your Spirits Ski Day at the Craigleith Ski Club in Collingwood, Ont.
The event has the backing of nearly 60 construction-related companies and attracts more than 130 people annually. Now in its fourth year, the ski day has raised $68,000 in total so far for charity. The money has gone to several organizations including Red Door, a Toronto shelter for refugees and women who are fleeing violence.
"It's awesome," Mr. Miller said. "The donations have a huge, huge impact on the services [Red Door] provides."
Paul Waldie