Thanks to a recent gift, the Jasper Community Team Society has nearly $10,000 more to distribute to community members in recovery from the 2024 wildfire. 

Jasper-raised author and creative writing professor, Beth Everest, presented the donation on Wednesday, March 4. The contribution represents the profits that Everest’s 2024 book of short stories, Some of the Facts, garnered from more than a year’s worth of sales.

“I chose to donate to the Jasper Community Team Society because it’s all about community,” Everest said. 

Pam Clark, co-chair of the JCTS, said the board is grateful for the donation.

“We will steward these funds to benefit the residents of Jasper,” Clark said. 

Councillor Kathleen Waxer, who during her career with Jasper’s Community and Family Services department (now Community Development), was instrumental in the creation of the Jasper Community Team. Waxer said through the JTCS and Community Outreach Services, non-judgemental support is available to all residents of Jasper.

“Outreach workers are there as expert problem solvers to help people access the supports they need,” Waxer said.

Everest has read from her book at several community events. An Ottawa-based gala last December attended by special guests including former Prime Minister Joe Clark helped spearhead her publishing company’s (Frontenac House) fundraising goals.   

The former and forever Jasperite said she knows the JCTS will direct the funds to those in need.

“There’s a lot of mixed grieving happening in Jasper right now,” she said.

Donations to the Jasper Community Team Society can be made through their website.

Some of the Facts is available at Totem’s Ski Shop and Basecamp Outfitters Jasper, among other outlets.

Bob Covey // info@thejasperlocal.com