July 3, 2024
Found in “Community news”
We’re pumped to announce that MEC has been awarded the Gordon Ritchie Service Award! Since 2009, the Gordon Ritchie Service Award has acknowledged individuals or organizations who show exceptional commitment to public avalanche safety. In its 15-year history, MEC is only the second organization to win this award!
Our mission in the outdoors has always gone beyond supplying gear for getting outside. We’re dedicated to providing programs and initiatives that teach crucial outdoor skills and safety training in the backcountry. As the presenting sponsor of Avalanche Canada’s Avalanche Skill Training (AST) program, MEC provides funding to keep the curriculum updated with the latest in avalanche research, tools and techniques. Fun fact: 12,000 students learn avalanche safety skills through this program every year.
"We are deeply honoured to receive the Gordon Ritchie Service Award from Avalanche Canada," said Caitlin Brown, Senior Community Manager at MEC. "We have been a partner for over 20 years and this recognition reaffirms our longstanding commitment to fostering a culture of safety and responsibility in the outdoor community. As backcountry access and activities grow in popularity across Canada, MEC has a responsibility to promote and educate safety in the backcountry and we are proud to collaborate with Avalanche Canada in doing this."
MEC also funds Avalanche Canada's MEC Avalanche Safety Grant every year for nonprofit organizations that serve racialized communities and help to support more people gaining access to winter backcountry safety training. When it comes to having fun outside, we know that safety always comes first. The more ways we can foster a sense of respect for the outdoors and provide communities with the right gear and training to get out there, the more human-powered adventures we get to share.
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