The Fasken Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes one or more volunteers in the sport of Ontario ski racing who have made an extraordinary contribution to their Club, Division or Province, and to the sport in general. This award recognizes the important role of volunteers as they support their children, team, club or sport as a whole.
If you look up ‘dedicated’ in the dictionary, Kris Baird, from Elite Alpine Ski Cross would undoubtedly appear. Though she lives 3.5 hours away from the training location, she is always willing to lend a hand in any way she can. Despite her son having knee surgery this past year and not participating in programming, Kris still continued to volunteer her time. In particular, she’s a Board member, is a member of the fundraising committee, applies for grants, attends Alpine Ontario Alpin meetings and takes notes, while also being race secretary. Additionally, Kris was instrumental in creating the Club’s extremely detailed COVID-19 Protocols/Return to Sport document
As noted by her nominators: “Kris is a wonderfully kind person, and always puts the athletes first. She sees how much ski racing means to everyone, including her own son, and helps to provide any and all that she can to make each season as best as it can possibly be for everyone! Most recently, she was the race secretary for our Live Like Miki event, where she did a phenomenal job. So much so that she has been recognized and invited to be trained to work at World Cup races.”
Congratulations Kris! Thank you for being such an important part of our community.