Holiday Valley Gives Back to Community During Mardi Gras
By Jessica Schultz
Mardi Gras weekend in Ellicottville is fast approaching and the annual parade is finally returning. It’s a year to celebrate!! Mardi Gras is the celebration of life and excess before the Lenten season begins and has always represented people coming together, dancing, beads, booze and food. And it’s the perfect time to give to those who may be going without. The Annual Holiday Valley Ski Patrol Food Drive will be up and running before and during the Mardi Gras celebration.
The Villagerhad the great opportunity to speak with one of the coordinators, Rebecca Mansellabout the event and what it means to our communities.
The Villager (V):The Ski Patrol food drive is a staple part of Mardi Gras, how did it come to be?
Rebecca ( R):“Over 30 years ago, a patroller named Bob Barbu started the Holiday Valley Ski Patrol Food Drive with the help and support of the local grocery store and he had been doing it yearly until he handed it off to Ansley Kelly and myself a few years ago. He is now a Patroller Emeritus of the Holiday Valley Ski Patrol.”
V: Where do the donations go and how impactful do you feel the event is?
R: “We collect both cash and food donations. All of the food donations go to the Ellicottville Food Pantry located at the United Church of Ellicottville at 51 Elizabeth Street. The cash donations are split between the Ellicottville Food Pantry and the Great Valley Food Pantry that is run by St. Paul’s Church in Ellicottville. If someone wishes to direct their donation to one specific location, they can write a check directly to the location. The Holiday Valley Ski Patrol also has a PayPal address that people can use: paypal@holidayvalleyskipatrol.org”
V: Does the Ski Patrol have other fundraising events coming up besides this one?
R: “The Holiday Valley Ski Patrol runs a golf tournament in the summer that raises funds for our patrol to purchase supplies to be used throughout the season. This year it will be held on August 22 at the Black Diamond Golf course at Holiday Valley. We also will be found again this year at Fall Fest where we have been for over 45 years!”
V: What type of donations are most needed and where and when can they be dropped off?
R: “The Food Pantry can accept all sorts of non-perishable items (within the expiration dates): canned fruits and vegetables, pasta, sauce, granola bars, cereal, baby formula, shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, cleaning products, paper towels, etc. Basic necessities are always needed.”
V: Anything else to add?
R: “We will be outside TOPS Market Friday March 11, from 5-9pm and Saturday March, 12 starting at 3pm and going through the Parade – We will be walking along the parade route accepting cash and food donations while handing out Mardi Gras beads! Donations can also be coordinated directly with the Food Pantry by calling 716-699-4003.”
Thank you, Rebecca, for taking the time to talk with us and for sharing the details of this event. And a huge thank you to the whole group of Holiday Valley Ski Patrol volunteers for taking the time to help those in need in our community!!!