10/29/2024
Huge appreciation post:
When I started kayaking 5 years ago, I really didn't understand what drew people to whitewater, but when I engaged with the community at the Russell Fork my first fall of kayaking, I knew that there was something special to it.
This weekend, the Hurricane Helene WNC went up to the Russell Fork River to raise fun and funds. Every day of the past month, I have been blown away by the support of the paddling community. This weekend took that feeling to the next level!
The community rallied together in so many ways:
Bob Larkin and the BWA tied us into plans for the weekend, provided us insight into how we can contribute to the experience, and committed to donating some of the money raised through camping fees.
Great Falls Foundation is amazing for coordinating the race, crushing the logistics, and showing incredible generosity by donating race proceeds to our efforts. Huge shout out to Noah Wisdom and Geoffrey Calhoun, as well as the rest of you awesome people that put that thing together. We appreciate yall so much!
Bethany and American Whitewater provided guidance on how we could structure the fundraising efforts, helped create the silent auction, and provided the LL Hotwhip that we raffled off. So much gratitude 🙏 thank you Bethany for being such a rockstar!
Watershed Drybags and Ellie came through huge, donating a drybag, despite all of the struggles they have gone through with the flooding. Huge thanks 😊
Turtlebox donated a speaker for the silent auction and had it shipped overnight to try to get it to us in time. Thanks so much Matt Amons for coming in clutch and helping us out!
Dane Jackson donated a sweet Orion Coolers to the raffle. We're so grateful for the continued support of the Jackson Kayak team 🙏
Endless River Adventures packed up two gear bags full of awesome finds, creating a bidding frenzy at the silent auction. The help ERA has showed us through this tough month has meant the world! Thanks to all the ERA folks who have been finding ways to contribute.
Rocky Mountain Rafts donated some awesome stuff to the raffle! The river tube and sleeping pad were highly sought after and we appreciate y'all so much for making it happen. Cheers to my hometown boy Kirby Simeon for showing the love.
Finally, a huge shout out to every single person who has been a part of the journey, volunteering, donating, and spreading the word. Every day reminds me why I'm proud to be a whitewater kayaker and outdoor enthusiast. Our communities are filled with such badass people and I'm humbled to be a friend to so many of you. This is just the beginning of our journey of supporting the rebuild of the Southern Appalachian communities affected by Helene. We're in it for the long haul and couldn't do it without you. —Lance
