This week, Samantha Timkey of The Boardroom Snowboard Shop (Ellicottville, NY) shares with us why IT’S PERSONAL. Learn how she became a part of the B4BC family and Holiday Valley’s community fundraising efforts in support of this winter’s Shred the Love campaign.
Being part of a small, family run business is one of the most rewarding jobs you can have. Coming to work every day is anything but a job, more like tangible passion with the people that you love the most. My parents have owned and operated their snowboard shop, The Boardroom, for 27 fantastic years. Living in a small community makes it challenging, with clubs and sports teams and benefits needing donations. One day, we were sitting around having our morning coffee, and we were talking about how everyone needs a cause. One cause that we could support wholeheartedly, no holds barred, throw ourselves into until we were sure we could make a difference.
One of my really good friends, Susanne Steck, suggested that we host an all pink cocktail party in our women’s specific room (The PowderRoom). As the ideas were coming fast and furiously, our other good friend Amanda Greene was volunteering for B4BC. Perfect! Amanda’s husband, Josh, who works for Red Bull, totally jumped on board to help us make the event banger. Additionally, one of my best friends, Pat Morgan, is the Youth Marketing Specialist at our home mountain (Holiday Valley), and he is hands down one of the best event planners in the history of events. Any time anyone needs sponsorship, a space to host events, or help with anything pertaining to the community, Holiday Valley is the first one in line. We are so fortunate to have them in our community, especially their willingness to continually make the world a better place. With the help of my parents, Pat, Susie, Amanda, Josh, Holiday Valley and their incredible people, and all of the other amazing people in my life, the little pink cocktail party has turned into an all day event at Holiday Valley, complete with on hill clinics, park events, an awards ceremony and auction, all benefitting B4BC and a local oncology center, Camp Good Days.
With that being said, breast cancer is also an issue that hits close to home for us. My mom’s mother was a survivor as well as her sister. Being one of ten, she and I are both at a high risk. My dad’s mom, who happens to be my hero/idol/role model was also diagnosed with this stupid disease. While going through radiation for melanoma, she now had to go through more radiation for breast cancer? Wtf. I was so upset, and couldn’t imagine how she felt, still living alone in Florida. Because of her active lifestyle and positive attitude, I am proud to say that she is the healthiest 85 year old woman on the planet, and told cancer to suck it.
This Saturday, February 11, Holiday Valley will be home to the 4th annual B4BC board-a-thon event. All of our manufacturers and reps have been incredible and extra generous, sending boxes and boxes of product to auction and raffle off. In fact, the sponsor list is so big, it takes up half of the poster! We have gained so much support and momentum from the community and surrounding areas, I can’t even express my gratitude. We have been getting calls from people and groups and companies that want to know who to make the check out to, completely unsolicited. For someone who has trouble expressing feelings, I can honestly say that the emotion that comes from this ever-successful event is totally overwhelming.
I know that not everyone is a survivor, and I am fortunate enough to say that I have never mourned the loss of someone close to me because of it, but it feels so good at the end of the day to know that you’ve made a difference in the big picture. Even if it’s just a smile for someone who is feeling down, more money for funding research, or an encouraging hug, it all matters. We will continue to raise our goal and work towards it, and we will stop at absolutely nothing.
Join the Boardroom & Holiday Valley in their fundraising efforts this week…
For every new “Like” of the Boardroom’s facebook page, Samantha and her family will donate a $1 to B4BC.
Thanks for shredding the love,
B4BC
