Uncategorized
Climbing for a cause
Published
9 years agoon
Big Sky Fire raising funds for leukemia, lymphoma
By Joseph T. O’Connor Explore Big Sky Managing Editor
BIG SKY – For the second year running, Big Sky firefighters are taking steps – literally – to raise awareness and funding for leukemia and lymphoma research. On March 8, three of Big Sky’s finest will again climb for cancer.
The Scott Sports-sponsored Firefighter Stairclimb, held in the Columbia Center in Seattle, Wash., draws firefighters from around the country to one of the nation’s largest fundraisers for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. During the 2014 event, 1,800 firefighters from more than 300 departments raised nearly $2 million for LLS.
This is Mitch Hamel’s second year competing and he will join his Big Sky Fire Department colleagues Mike Bakke and Jordi Viladas in the 24th annual event against more than 1,900 racers, but this one is even more special, Hamel says. The trio will climb in honor of Allistair Anderson, a 5-year-old girl with leukemia, whom they connected with through Eagle Mount-Bozeman.
“She’s been battling cancer since she was 21 months old,” said Hamel, 32, adding that LLS will hang posters of each honoree in the Columbia Center stairwell during the climb. “The entire time you’re climbing you’ll see all those faces and people who’ve been battling the disease. It’s really a cool reminder of why you’re there.”
The Firefighter Stairclimb is an event that will make those who live on a 10th floor feel lucky. Or even a 30th floor.
The Columbia Center is the second tallest building west of the Mississippi, with 69 flights containing 1,311 steps that rise 788 vertical feet from the streets of downtown Seattle. Competitors, who must be union or volunteer U.S.-based firefighters, wear full protective outerwear called turnouts as well as oxygen tanks, and the gear weighs up to 70 pounds.
“You’re standing outside and looking up at the Columbia tower going, ‘Holy cow’.” said Hamel. “You get your mask on, put your helmet on … and run into the building. You’re nervous and excited, but once you hit the stairs, it’s go time.”
Finishing the climb in just over 18 minutes last year and placing 311th, Hamel says his goal in March is to come in under 15 minutes. Bakke, 27, finished 195th at 17:02, and Viladas, 25, is in his rookie year with BSFD, a firefighter with the Bellingham, Wash.-based Marietta Fire Department last year.
Missoula firefighter Andrew Drobek came in first each of the last two years. In 2014, he finished in 11 minutes, five seconds.
Hamel says preparing for the stairclimb is an inherent job duty as a firefighter.
“We train year round to stay fit for the community, [so] we’re ready to go today if we had to,” he said.
On Jan. 18, Hamel, Vildas and Bakke held a fundraising demonstration in front of Roxy’s Market in Big Sky, toting a stair mill from the station. Climbing in full turnouts and oxygen tanks, the firefighters climbed in 20-minute intervals continuously for five hours, answering questions and raising community awareness.
“It went really well,” Hamel said. “People were receptive and we raised over $1,000.”
Last year, BSFD raised approximately $5,000 for the event, a respectable number, Hamel says, but far from where they hope to be this year. The Boise Fire Department led all Firefighter Stairclimb fundraising efforts in 2014, amassing $78,500 for LLS.
The Boise department sent more than 50 firefighters to compete in the stairclimb in 2014, and each raised money for their station. According to Audra Daniels, LLS’ Senior Campaign Manager for the event, fundraising is ranked per capita for context.
“Obviously you can’t compete [in fundraising dollars] if you have a team of two or three,” Daniels said. “[BSFD] came in 23rd per capita out of 323 teams last year.”
The Big Sky firefighters are in the process of planning more fundraising demonstrations, and have their sites set on a date around President’s Day weekend, from Feb. 14-16, though negotiations on the venue and exact date are still underway.
“What the event is for and what it represents is an amazing cause,” Hamel said. “The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is really at the forefront of research for all cancers right now.”
Call (406) 995-2100 for donation information.
Megan Paulson is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Outlaw Partners.
Upcoming Events
march, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
more
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
registration process now.
Children
born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
more
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Tickets are available online at www.vergetheater.com
Time
15 (Friday) 7:00 pm - 30 (Saturday) 8:30 pm
Location
Verge Theater
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
more
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
Time
March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
Location
Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
Event Details
Thursday of the Lord’s Supper Mass St. Joseph Catholic Mission
Event Details
Thursday of the Lord’s Supper Mass
St. Joseph Catholic Mission
Time
(Thursday) 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm