What started out as an in-lieu-of-flowers memorial following a tragic accident that took the life of a young man, ended up blossoming into a decade-long charity that helped many young athletes and their families in the Bulkley Valley.
Boarding for Brant was created less than a week after Brant Holenstein died in a workplace accident in Quick on May 8, 2013, to carry on his legacy of helping others.
Brant’s sister Amanda Recina explained that Brant was an avid snowboarder and would often update or win snowboarding gear, then pass off his slightly worn equipment or clothing to people who he felt needed it more than he did.
The non-profit organization that evolved after his death helped athletes every year by sending them to a ski or snowboard camps, lessons, lift passes to Hudson Bay Mountain or by purchasing equipment for them.
It was all made possible through donations and proceeds from Boarding for Brant apparel.
Boarding for Brant was also a major supporter and sponsor of the Smithers Skate Park expansion project, helping it to get started.
The board of the non-profit society, after 11 years, has now decided to end its run.
“We always said, as a board, and as a family that, we would do this as long as it was well-supported. And there was lots of need out there,” said Brant’s father Guido Holenstein. “We feel that as a board and family, Boarding for Brant has run its course and surpassed our expectations.”
He added the ending of this charity is bittersweet for the family and they would like to thank the community for all the support over the years and a thank you to all those who served on the board.