Fundraising Photo Sale for Annie Bellemare

[nyrak]

Hi Everyone,

I am organizing a fundraising photo sale to benefit Canadian skater Annie Bellemare.

I am selling 5x7 photographs of her for $6....$5 of which will go directly to Annie for training expenses, etc. (The other $1 will almost cover photo & mailing)

There are 5 different photos from last season to choose from. Please e-mail me for details and scans.

I am putting together a special letter for Annie, everyone who buys a photo(s) will get their name & city mentioned.

Thanks!
Karyn
kwood@coastnet.com

[sk8rzmom]

I thought I had heard from a Canadian poster that the Candian team members were completely funded through Skate Canada. I guess I remembered incorrectly.

[schnood]

You're part right sk8rzmom,

Skaters are given a monthly allowance of sorts through Skate Canada (it's not a whole lot though, would probably cover rent & a few necessities), and many have corporate sponsors. Most skaters work a job or coach for extra money.

I think Skate Canada covers travel to events, but the skater is responsible for taking the coach - pays his/her travel/hotel costs & lost wages whilst on the road with skater.

[nyrak]

BUMP! :) :)

Sales are going well so far, but there's still lots of photos left!

[Azlynn]

The money they get just is nowhere near enough to cover rent, living expenses, coaching, ice time, off ice training, coach's travel and lost wages, equipment, etc. I'm trying to remember what I read recently - it was an interview with a skater, Annie Bellemare, was it not? The skater said that it basically covered rent and a few things, but that they still needed to cover all those 'little' things like coaching and etc. When you think of that some skaters have basic costs of between $20-40,000 a year, the funding from Skate Canada just doesn't cover it.

[schnood]

The article I read on Bellemare said she was about $5000 short of her $33,000 skating budget this year....it also said she got around $1100 from the government, but that is probably just enough to cover rent and food. Coaching, travel, ice time, costumes, etc - it all adds up.

Nyrak - I sent you a PM about your fundraiser :)