Although the San Francisco 49ers have been quiet in free agency, away from football, the team has been far from quiet. The 49ers Foundation community work continues all year long. In mid March, the 49ers held their 16th Annual Winter Fest presented by Chevron at the Resort at Squaw Creek in Olympic Valley, Calif. The money raised from the weekend goes to support the Foundation’s mission of keeping kids “Safe, On Track, and In School.”
Winter Fest is “[a]n annual gathering to support the 49ers Foundation’s mission to keep kids safe, on track, and in school,” said Joanne Pasternack, Vice President & Executive Director, Community Relations & 49ers Foundation. “But more importantly, it’s an opportunity for our ownership, executives, coaches, players, and all our supporters to gather together in a family-oriented environment to have fun together, to focus on philanthropy, and to find a way to connect to the team and also give back at the same time.”
The weekend is filled with activities from making S’mores with the 49ers Gold Rush to snowshoeing with GM Trent Baalke to a women’s leadership breakfast hosted by Brandi Chastain. Attendees are also treated to Chalk Talk, which is an opportunity to hear from the 49ers’ coaches.
“I think you’re just kind of blown away about the commitment to the 49ers Foundation and the impact that they’ve had in the community,” said head coach Chip Kelly. “Every organization in the league does something to some extent…but what they do here is just above and beyond. It was special to be a part of it…”
The 49ers are in the community week after week, and in its 25 years, the 49ers Foundation has donated $34.6 million to non-profits, having donated $4 million last year. In 2015, the Niners were finalists for the ESPN’s Humanitarian of the Year Award, while the organization won the Beyond Sport International Sports Philanthropy Award.
This year’s Winter Fest raised more than $1.5 million, with the majority of funds going to the 49ers STEM Leadership Institute. The Silicon Valley Education Foundation, the Santa Clara Unified School District, and Chevron are partners with the Institute, whose main goals are to shape future leaders in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
“Winter Fest is the 49ers Foundation’s largest philanthropic event,” said 49ers Co-Chairman Dr. John York. “People come and they believe, with it being up here in Tahoe, it is going to be about skiing, winter sports, and football. All of that is true, but they have no idea how much is an inside look at the 49ers…”
Aside from current 49ers’ players Arik Armstead, Marcus Martin, L.J. McCray, Dylan Thompson, and Kendall Gaskins, attendees were also in the presence of former 49er greats Dwight Clark, Ricky Watters, Bubba Paris, Keena Turner, Guy McIntire and many others.
“I had the opportunity to come out and give back to some of the fans and the kids around this area and that support us,” said Armstead. “I’m just honored to be here.”
“The fans that are in this group right here are more family than fans,” said running backs coach Tom Rathman. “I’ve been here eight times…and you see a lot of the same faces.”
The weekend does a lot to teach kids about the ability to have fun and give back. It’s good for everyone.
“We have kids of all ages out there enjoying opportunities to interact with Olympians and with our 49ers,” said Pasternack. “They’re curling, they’re ice skating, they’re going to Chalk Talk and listening to our coaches share a little bit about the strategy for the upcoming season.”
2015 was a rough season on the field in Santa Clara, but no matter what, off the field, the 49ers are doing a lot of good. Go Niners!
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