The Friends of the Mount Shasta Avalanche Center raised over $6,000 during their 3rd Annual Snowball fund-raiser January 22nd.

Climbing ranger Keith Potts said the funds will be used "to continue to upgrade and install weather station equipment, purchase rescue equipment to be positioned in popular backcountry locations and increase public accessibility to avalanche awareness education."

A good crowd at the Snowball enjoyed a barbeque by Keith Cool and rocked to the Dead Hecklers.

Potts and fellow climbing ranger Matt Hill acted as masters of ceremonies in the city park recreation hall, handing out numerous donated prizes to the raffle ticket winners.
"The best part of this is getting everybody together," said Hill. "The whole comunity and a lot of people from out of town. Everybody benefits. The weather stations help the Forest Service's data gathering. I'm honored to be here."

The barbeque dinner included chicken, bread, salad and two kinds of beans.

The Dead Hecklers got the hall up and dancing, including many of the numerous kids that attended the event.

"The Friends wish to thank all those who attended the ball for their support and generosity as well as all who donated time, effort, supplies and raffle and silent auction items," said Potts. "The Mount Shasta Avalanche Center is succeeding in its mission because of you."

Among the many donors for the raffle prizes were Aaron Beverly, Back Country Access, Backcountry Magazine, Berryvale, Black Diamond, Bob Noyes, Dr. Chet Collins, Clifbar, Curtis & Dave Winery, The Dead Hecklers, Dermatone, Didier Monoth, Eel River Brewery, The Fifth Season, House of Ski & Board, Hunter Orchards, Jen Malone, Kevin Lahey, Kim Solga, Life Link, Mark Erwin, Molly Blackburn, Mountain Trading Company, Mountaineers Books, Mt Shasta Board & Ski Park, Mt Shasta Monday Farmers' Market, Mount Shasta Resort, Mount Shasta Supermarket dinner team, Natures Kitchen, Ortovox, Patagonia, Pepsi, Prolithic Sports, Scott USA, Shasta Mountain Guides, Shasta Sunset Dinner Train, Sierra Wilderness Seminars, The Sportsmen's Den, Standing Stone Brewery, Tognar Toolworks, USDA Forest Service, Village Books, Willywaw, Winterstick, Yakima, Yates Climbing Equipment and Yreka Physical Therapy.

For more information on the Friends, visit the website at www.fmsac.org. The Forest Service center is at www.shastaavalanche.org.

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