By: Rohn K. Robbins

Chair / Founder – Vail Valley Charitable Fund

In 1996, a young wife and mother was sick. She had been diagnosed with cancer. Her name was Cindy. She and her husband were well known and well loved in our community. They had a beautiful young daughter.

When her friends learned that she was ill, a group quickly came together. Although modern medicine promised Cindy little, we were determined to help in any way we could. And so we got to work.

On little more than hope and a prayer, I contacted the national touring company of Ms. Saigon who I knew was coming to Denver soon. I was put in touch with an angel-voiced and angel-hearted singer and dancer named General MacArthur Hamrick who has remained a cherished friend of more than 30 years. General agreed to be our cast liaison. In short, the cast said “yes”; they would come up to Vail and perform for us.

It was then the first of our partnerships began.

We arranged for transportation, lodging, ski passes, spa treatments, and dining for a cast and crew of 60. We collected hundreds of silent auction items. In the days before the Vilar was built, we produced and presented a variety show at the old Battle Mountain High School auditorium. Every last person we contacted was gracious and helpful. Everyone said “yes.” Every last thing—from lodging to advertising—was given from the heart for free.

The variety show sold out. The silent auction sold out. The night was simply magical. Sadly, however, Cindy was too ill to attend but her family came, her niece spoke on her behalf, and we recorded the show for her.

Although we couldn’t save Cindy, we think we still offered something special. We gave her the gift of time with her family. We showed her the love of a community. We helped ease the family’s financial burden. We added to her store of faith and hope.

Cindy and her family’s need was the seed that sprouted into the Vail Valley Charitable Fund that will celebrate its 30th year this month. Since its beginnings, the VVCF has awarded more than 2,000 grants to members of our community, and more than $10,000,000 has gone to help ease our neighbor’s burdens.

We simply could not have done it without our partners who are too numerous to name, but the Vail Daily, Vail Resorts, Vail Valley Cares, Vail Health, Bravo! Vail, our partner dentists and physical therapists, and other key local medical providers such as Edwards Ambulance District, Shaw Cancer Center, and Vail Valley Surgery Center come prominently to mind.

Neither could we have done it without the generous support of our donors, committed volunteers, our devoted and creative staff, and selfless and dedicated Board. I wish there were space enough to thank everyone by name who has—and who continues to—lend a hand. Know that you are all deeply and sincerely appreciated.

We are here to help because of you. With our partners’ help, and with the help of the community we call home, we hope to continue for many years to come to reach out and help our friends reach up.

The VVCF’s logo is a heart rising over the mountains which we think is apt. From the start, and after 30 years, it still holds true that it is all about our mountain family. And all about heart.

Thank you all for helping us help.

We look forward to you celebrating 30 years with us at Chasing Rabbits, this September 19.