Virtual Ski Race and Art Shows raised $4959 in 2021!
Our biggest fundraiser was the 2021 Virtual Ski the Beach for Erin Race, generously sponsored by the Chugiak- Eagle River Nordic Ski Club (https://www.cernsc.org). The race was free to all participants, but racers were free to donate to Erin’s fund. We were touched that many donated in memory of one of their loved ones since it was a memorial race. We raised a total of $3650 from donations made by skiers last year! A huge thanks to many local businesses who donated prizes for the race including: Alaska Mountaineering and Hiking https://www.alaskamountaineering.com, Barneys Sports Chalet (https://barneyssports.com), Cold Stone Creamery (https://www.coldstonecreamery.com/stores/20088), Jitters Coffee Shop (https://jitterseagleriver.com), and Skinny Raven Sports (https://skinnyraven.com).
Art has also become another avenue for fund revenue. Erin always loved art, and her mother, Barb Johnson, also enjoyed painting. They often painted together for special occasions. Since Erin died, Barb continues to paint as therapy and a way to support Erin’s memorial fund too. She donates two-thirds of the gross sales to the fund. This year, Barb had two art shows and she successfully raised $1309 for Erin’s fund by selling her art.
In total, we raised $4959 from fundraisers for the fund!! Thanks to all of the people who generously donated to the Virtual Ski the Beach Memorial Ski Race or by purchasing Barb’s art. We are grateful for every single person and business that has contributed to Erin’s fund and for many of you who continue to donate so generously in her memory.
In addition to the fundraisers we had this year, many who knew Erin continue to remember her on the anniversary of her death, her birthday, in memory of a loved one, or at the end of the year. We appreciate every single donation and we will do our very best to ensure that it honors Erin by helping to protect Alaska’s wild places, encouraging people to get outside, and supporting science education and nature.
SKI THE BEACH FOR ERIN HELD On MARCH 1st, 2020!
This was the third annual Ski the Beach Memorial Race dedicated to Erin and to raising money for her fund. The Chugiak Eagle-River Nordic Ski Club has decided to continue this tradition in perpetuity!! For that reason, it will be called. “Ski the Beach for Erin” from now on. This year, the race was held on Sunday, March 1st at the Beach Lake Chalet in Chugiak. Huge thanks to the local ski club for supporting this very successful fundraiser and for honoring Erin in this way. We are forever indebted for their support. It was very successful and a lot of fun. A total of $3,387 was raised. Many thanks to many local organizations who donated prizes including AMH, Barneys Sport Shop, REI, Skinny Raven Sports, Jitters, and Creamstone Creamery.
SADLY, THESE ART SHOWS WERE CANCELLED DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.
SALES AT TWO UPCOMING ART SHOWS WILL BENEFIT THE FUND-
Barb Johnson, Erin’s mom, will be showing and selling her art in two different shows this April and May. The April show will be partnered with artist, Becky Hollwedel at Resolution Brewery in Anchorage. In May, she will partnering an art show with artist, Jessy Moreland, at Kaladi Coffee in Wasilla. Please come to the First Friday events or come anytime during these months to see the artwork. Two-thirds of the total proceeds from any of Barb’s paintings purchased will go toward’s Erin’s fund. To look at some of Barb’s artwork follow @Barb.Johnson.AKspindriftART on Instagram.
THANK YOU DAVID PETTIBONE AND GEORGIA BLUE GALLERY
David Pettibone, an Alaskan Artist, generously donated two beautiful orginal pieces of art from his “Year with a Tree” exhibition http://www.davidpettibone.com/year-with-a-tree#/id/i12279032/full that has been shown both in the Anchorage and in Homer. These paintings were sold in an online auction created by the owner of Georgia Blue Gallery in Anchorage http://georgiabluegallery.com. We are extremely grateful to David Pettibone and Georgia Blue Gallery for their generosity and help in supporting the fund.
