Kristi Richards, an Olympian and World Champion freestyle mogul skier from Summerland, BC founded the Supporting the Dream Legacy Fund in the fall of 2007. It is an endowment fund that will provide financial assistance in the form of bursaries and grants to deserving amateur athletes of the Okanagan.

The fund is overseen and managed by the Community Foundations of the South Okanagan, a not-for-profit organization that connects generous donors with the causes that they are passionate about. The Supporting the Dream Legacy Fund is a permanent endowment fund where only the investment earnings are used to provide grants and bursaries. This means that the fund will continue to give in perpetuity to Okanagan’s athletes.

Kristi was inspired to create this fund because of the tremendous amount of support and encouragement that she received from her community as she was trying to achieve her dream of representing Canada at the Torino Olympic games. Now that she has realized her dream, she wants to see other athletes be supported and have the opportunity to reach their potential. She realized that athletes cannot accomplish their goals alone, and that it takes a team of people that will believe in them and support them every step of the way.

“My community stood behind me and supported me financially so that I could participate and perform at my highest potential at the 2006 Torino Olympic Games. They are a big part of my success story, and I want to encourage that kind of attitude and community involvement with our future generations of athletes.

Athletes provide the community with a sense of pride, and they inspire others to lead healthy, active lifestyles. They are determined, focused, passionate, and goal orientated people. Athletes become role models for our children and our businesses.

Together we can make dreams into reality, we can grow stronger as a community, and the stories that are generated will continue for lifetimes to come.” – Kristi Richards

As an ambassador for “Supporting the Dream Fund” I believe it is as important as ever to give back into our communities. Sport changes people’s lives and promotes a positive way of living. Do you remember how we felt during the Olympics – the country was united in a way it has never been before. I get goose bumps just reflecting on my Olympic experience and the way it brought everyone together. Here’s a chance to achieve that feeling once again!! On November 10th Supporting the Dream Legacy Fund is hosting a fundraising event at The Local Lounge in Summerland. It is going to be themed after the Bond movie “From Russia with Love”, and will feature a live DJ (DJ Evolve), Russian inspired drink stations and cuisine pairings, a mock casino, and silent and live auctions. Stay posted for the official press release to hear more about ticket sales.