12 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer
July 24, 2009
Robin’s Nest foundation takes flight By Cayla Gabruck Pioneer Staff Two years after their sister’s tragic death, Michael and Patrick Kochorek are still working hard to keep her memory alive. July 21st marked the two-year anniversary of the day 31-year-old Robin Kochorek’s life was cut short by a black bear while she was mountain biking at Panorama Mountain Village. Robin became separated from her friends and was biking alone on an old logging road when she was attacked by the bear. “I don’t think it has gotten any easier – it’s still really hard,” Patrick said. “My sister would want us to move on, but any time I just take a minute, stop and think about it, I’ll break down in tears. Time heals, but there’s still a lot of pain in our family about it.” Robin, a speech pathologist in Calgary, was the daughter of Robert and Mary Kochorek of Windermere. The family has been coming to the Columbia Valley since 1980. Robert and Mary moved here permanently 11 years ago. “I don’t think anyone in our family has come to terms with her death,” Michael said. “It’s too soon to grasp the magnitude of our loss – I think it will get harder before it gets better.” In 2008, Robin’s family set up a foundation called
CALLING ALL DEW SWEEPERS SPECIAL FOR JULY AND AUGUST: Play in the first hour of tee times at the promotional green fee of $90, plus taxes. Some restrictions may apply.
Patrick and Michael Kochorek The Robin’s Nest. Through this organization they have run several charity events, including a silent auction held last year in Bragg Creek. “Our family is not the same – it’s broken,” Michael said. “Her contribution was such a big one and we don’t have that any more. But we do have memories and that’s what The Robin’s Nest is all about – keeping that alive.” To date they have raised more than $12,000. Once the foundation is formally recognized as a charitable organization, this will be donated to numerous charities “near and dear to Robin’s heart.”
Coming for the month of August:
PLAY 89, A WEEK TO REMEMBER During the month of August play one round of golf at prime time and enjoy every other round played in the following 6 days at $89. Make Eagle Ranch part of your ‘Week to Remember’!
Experience Service Beyond™
One of those charities is the Calgary Drop-In and Rehab Centre, a homeless shelter where Robin volunteered. Already the family has raised funds to serve two dinners at the centre – one just before Christmas 2007 and one in January 2009 – and is hoping to make it an annual event. The Kochorek family was rocked again by death this April, losing a close family friend, whom Robin was named after, to an aggressive form of cancer. In order to commemorate both women, Michael and Patrick gathered sponsors for the Heart of the Rockies Triathlon held on Sunday, July 19th. They completed the race and raised more than $2,000 to be donated to the Canadian Cancer Foundation. “It wasn’t about breaking any records; it was just about going out, finishing the race and raising some money for Robin,” Michael said. “I know my sister helped me through it. She’s the biggest motivation I have.” Their most recent undertaking is to fund an endowment in their sister’s name at the University of Alberta, where Robin received degrees in both Arts and Speech Language Pathology. The family will have to raise $25,000 to make that happen and are hoping to conduct another silent auction. For more info, email michael.kochorek@shaw.ca.
If you are exploring your child’s educational options for the fall, consider… A private independent school made up of over 450 Distributed Learning and 900 registered students province wide.
Why do so many B.C. families depend on TLA for their home education programs? SUPPORT: We believe parents are the primary educators of their children and seek to work with parents to reach their goals. FLEXIBILITY: TLA offers many options for families including registered and distributed learning programs for K-12. Our online high school courses mean a student can graduate from the comfort of their home. SUCCESS: Individualized home education plans are designed to meet the unique needs of your child. For more information about our programs, please contact your local TLA teacher,
Dining 250-342-6560 • Golf 250-342-0562 www.eagleranchresort.com • Toll Free (877) 877-3889
Karyn Rohrick, at (250) 341-6206. TLA’s Principal, Karen Gledhill, will be available to meet with parents and answer your questions on Monday, July 27th.