American Airlines Celebrity Ski Raises More than $1 Million
There were celebrities from Jason Priestly to Buzz Aldrin and Wendy Malick who were poised to ride down the snowy mountains. There was a crowd of people ready to bid on exciting VIP packages. All were there at the 21st annual American Airlines® Celebrity Ski Weekend to support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
From March 2 through 5, 2006, avid skiers and celebrities alike gathered for one weekend to help the CF Foundation raise more than $1 million for vital research and specialized care. Approximately 600 people traveled to the luxurious Vail Cascade Resort and Spa to take advantage of the world-class skiing at the Four Diamond resort.
They took in three days of skiing, choosing from the 193 trails the resort had to offer. Many participated in some light-hearted competition through the Race Clinic, Qualifying Races or Celebrity Team Races at the Black Forest Race Arena. This year, after a long day of skiing, guests explored Vail Village, with its charming shops and restaurants.
In the evenings, attendees also were treated to cocktail receptions and a concert by 2005 "American Idol" finalist, Bo Bice. Three young women with CF, Sam Pelican, Piper Beatty and Libby Pelican, came to talk about their experiences with CF. Emotions ran high. For the past 18 years, they have been a mainstay throughout the event, giving people hope for the future for those living with the disease. The audience was moved by their messages and remarks and acted quickly to support cystic fibrosis. During the live auction, people bid on extraordinary items such as a Belgium holiday, a vacation package to Hawaii and a trip to see the Blue Angels air show.
On Sunday, guests left tired from skiing, but energized from the optimism that emanated that weekend. “Celebrity ski is a fabulous event, but it is also so much more,” said C. Richard Mattingly, executive vice president and COO of the CF Foundation. “It is a reunion for friends who have, in many ways, become part of our family."
And, as always, the CF Foundation is very grateful to American Airlines®, its Outstanding Corporate Partner. “We admire and respect their extraordinary example of corporate commitment and heart to the CF cause.”
A special thank you also goes to other loyal sponsors who helped make this event so successful—companies such as Coke, Toshiba, Citi Bank, MasterCard and Altus.
Posted 03/14/06
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