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Those who can, do. Those who can do more, volunteer.
Whistler is lucky to have more than its fair share of volunteers. Maybe because people live here due to a lifestyle
choice—they want to make their community better and do the positive. It can be irresistibly tempting to do nothing.
After working or going to school all day—have some down time. After having had a productive career—enjoy a relaxed
retirement. But instead of coasting, Whistlerites are committed to doing the positive, to helping build a thriving,
vibrant place to live. The Kelty Patrick Dennehy Foundation is certainly privileged to have tapped into this
wealth of community-minded, make-the-world-a-better-place people.
Seven years ago, Kelty Dennehy committed suicide. He was just 17 and felt that his depression was all in his
mind—that there was no way to make his life better. His parents, Kerry and Ginny, wanted his death to have a
purpose and, out of this tragedy, came a legacy of hope for people afflicted with the disease of depression.
The Kelty Patrick Dennehy Foundation was formed shortly after Kelty's passing. Its mission is prevention of depression
related suicide in young people by taking a leadership role in education, effective treatments, and research.
The Foundation has funded many fantastic initiatives and formed long-lasting partnerships with other foundations, health
facilities, and of course, the many volunteers that are the most important cog in its fundraising wheel.
The annual ‘Drive FORE Life’ Golf Tournament, which takes a year of hard work and planning, is the Foundation’s primary
fundraiser. In the past six years, over $1.24 million has been raised from the golf tournaments alone (an additional
$1.2 million comes from other contributions).
Of the many volunteers that donate hours and hours to help the Foundation put together the ‘Drive FORE Life’, a few
stand out, one of those being Andy Szocs, whose unparalleled energy and commitment is such that an annual volunteer
of the year award was set up in his name.
The first recipient of this award was Kathy Podborski in 2006. Kathy has been with the Foundation since inception.
She is a dynamic, vibrant individual that has her finger on the pulse of new trends—she unwaveringly helps with delivering
a unique tournament every year.
Co-recipients of the Andy Szocs' volunteer award last were Moe and John Richmond, a two-person whirlwind who bring
in corporate sponsorships, auction donations, and also help the Fairmont add pizzazz to the Gala evening.
Other volunteers include the indispensable team of Sandi Epplett, Jacqui Tyler and their crew of auction specialists.
Tara d’Artois, Davin Moore, and Ted Morden keep golf day organized. Sue Bjormark who recruits those fabulous
and very desirable Fairmont vacation trips. Marg Pallot the right hand person to Kerry Dennehy, assisting with
the Rock & Roll portion of the weekend. Cathy Prall and new volunteer Cindy Luallin coordinate the Gala evening ambiance
and liaise with hotel staff.
The many other volunteers that are instrumental with gathering auction donations, up keeping various databases, providing
admin help, and just plain organizing many small details include Julie Andrews, Hannah Brezer, Lorna Doucette, Jane
Finlayson, Gavin Foster, Karen Garrett, Aimee and Jon De Decaigny, Rhonda Lingel, Stephanie Matches, Jane Milner, Maggie
Miranda, Kim Needham, Brad Skerrett, Kelli Taber and Bronwen Thorburn. As well, there are over 50 volunteer caddies,
hole spotters, and score relay people that are essential during tournament day.
This year's 'Drive FORE Life' Golf Tournament will be held August 22-24 at the beautiful Fairmont Chateau Whistler.
It’s the seventh annual tournament and it will be the last (note that the Foundation is not dismantling—just refocusing
on new, exciting events). This year’s theme is Celebrate! We will celebrate Kelty's life, the Foundation’s
accomplishments, partnerships, donors, and the amazing amount of support we have had from our wonderful volunteers
and Whistler community. Please join us and help make this year’s event the biggest and the best yet!
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