Stories From the Trails: Banff Adventures Annual Canoe for a Cause Raises $19,000 Towards Jasper Recovery Efforts
The beloved annual fundraiser, Canoe for a Cause, hosted by Banff Adventures raised $19,000 this August for the Rocky Mountain Community Relief Fund, established by the Banff Canmore Foundation (BCF), to support Jasper's wildfire response and recovery efforts.
The day was fullof paddling, friendly competition, and a celebration of our vibrant local life on the beautiful Bow River.
Daryn McCutcheon, owner of Banff Adventures alongside his wife Kristen McCutcheon shared, "Canoe for a Cause has always been about giving back to the community as our staff and families feel so fortunate to be able to work and play where we do. It really hit hard to see what happened in Jasper so we felt strongly that this year we should contribute the proceeds to the Rocky Mountain Relief Fund and encourage others to do the same if they are able."
Banff Adventures is a local business that is deeply committed to improving life for everyone in Banff. Canoe for a Cause began humbly in 2015 at the Banff canoe docks, supporting local non-profits like Banff Daycare, the Food Bank, and the Canmore SPCA via BCF. Nearly a decade later, their commitment remains strong.
Since 2014, Banff Adventures has proudly operated the canoe docks as the Banff Canoe Club. "We have always seen it as a privilege to operate the canoe docks,” says Tanya Price, General Manager at Banff Adventures and a board member at Banff & Lake Louise Tourism (BLLT). She says it's inspiring to see how this privilege can benefit our community.
The donation to the BCF Rocky Mountain Community Relief Fund was the most significant change for this year’s event. Tanya says the Banff Adventures team was grateful to be continuing its partnership with BCF with the bonus of supporting Jasper’s wildfire recovery.
Typically, funds are donated to BCF which allocates them to various community needs, however this year called for something different. Besides contributions from tour and rental sales on August 29, funds were also raised through a silent auction that ran for six days.
“The silent auction is a massive part of this event. Donations come from all over the Bow Valley - from local businesses and partners,” says Hannah Howells, Sales and Marketing Coordinator at Banff Adventures who organized 2024’s Canoe for a Cause.
When the whistle blew on August 29, local teams set sail on the river to compete against each other in the annual Big Canoe Races – one of the many fun activities scheduled throughout the day for Banff to enjoy.
“Everyone was having a great time! Arctos and Bird won the Big Canoe Races and now hold the title. We’re incredibly thankful to everyone who joined us and can’t wait for next year,” said Hannah.
Thank you to the community and BLLT members who came to support Canoe for a Cause on August 29 this year.This is a wonderful annual opportunity for our community to connect, celebrate, and donate towards a good cause.
Stories from the Trails is a series sharing learning, success, and insights, from our members and partners as we journey together towards the 10-Year Vision for Tourism. This story embodies the Community Wellbeing trail.
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