Susan Childs- Sue is one of the original members of  the Bearskin Airlines Hope Classic since Linda Buchan originally started planning the first one in 1997. After Linda passed away in December 2002, Sue became the Chair and  like the other members of the committee does a little bit of everything. Sue is responsible for meeting with the major sponsors as well as contacting all sponsors of the bonspiel. She coordinates the registration, chairs the meetings, and basically oversees each committee member’s area. Sue works closely with the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation to keep them aware of what is happening. Sue knows that Linda is looking down on the women of  Thunder Bay and surrounding area and is so proud of what they  have done over the last thirteen years to raise the awareness of breast cancer.  Sue and the entire committee were ecstatic when after the 10th Bearskin Airlines Hope Classic it was announced that the breast screening and assessment centre would be named, THE LINDA BUCHAN CENTRE.

Judith Gerry - Judy is another original member of the Bearskin Airlines Hope Classic. Judy usually answers to M & M” as she is responsible for all of the merchandise and money for the bonspiel.  Having this responsibility means a large amount of time spent meeting with Gary Littlefield of Sportop Marketing to determine various items to sell or give to the participants and then discussing them with the other committee members. It also involves ordering, picking up, storing, delivering merchandise.  Now that Barb Whitney has joined the committee Judy will be sharing these duties with Barb.   Judy is also responsible for all of the accounting for the weekend, from organizing the accountants for Friday night when the pledges are turned in, to writing the cheques at closing ceremonies. She is ruthless at tracking down outstanding funds and is also exceptionally good at not letting any one know the total amount of money raised until twenty minutes before the committee comes upstairs at Closing Ceremonies.

Mary Wheatley - Mary, another original member has been transforming the Fort William Curling Club into a total different look for the weekend of the Bearskin airlines Hope Classic since its inception.  Every year the bears on the tables are dressed different and are sporting the main colour theme for the weekend.   . Mary also looks after decorating the elimination board, the entrance way to the club.  Like other areas of the bonspiel, these decorations change yearly so you never know what the club will look like until you arrive for the weekend. 

Liz Manahan - Liz is another original member and the committee is so thankful that she came on board at the beginning.  She was the club liaison from the early days and has so many jobs to do it is difficult to list them all.  Liz works with the Board re the use of the club for meetings, the media conference and the actual weekend.  Working with Mary on colour themes, Liz does all the signage for the club and all of the sponsor certificates.  Add to that she looks after all of the volunteers needed throughout the year as well as the actual weekend of the bonspiel.  Liz works closely with Metro , The Nor’Wester Resort and Ping of the Fort William Curling Club,  to coordinate the food provided for the weekend, from the appetizers Friday night to breakfast Saturday and Sunday, the Nor’Wester’s lunch on Saturday  She also consults with Shoppers to determine the products that will be distributed to the participants..  And after doing all of this she still has time to curl in the bonspiel. 

Barb Whitney - Barb has been on the committee for four years but was definitely not a stranger before that.  Barb started out as a volunteer in the early days and when the committee saw how committed she was to the event, she was asked to join us on a full time basis.   She has been an integral part of the merchandise area for the last few years,  from selling the merchandise or running up and down the stairs of the curling club with totes full (or hopefully empty) of merchandise. Barb has also taken over the responsibility of the media conference which involves contacting all of the sponsors, media, members of the Linda Buchan Centre and the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation. 

Erin Manahan - Although Erin did not officially join the committee until last year she has been involved since the beginning because her mom would always say, ‘Oh, Erin can help us with that.’  Being the rookie on the committee (as well as the youngest) Erin will tackle whatever job we throw at her – and believe me we throw a lot at her.  She is totally involved in the coordinating of the filling of the participants’ bags on the Thursday evening prior to the event. During the actual event she takes care of  the elimination board and helps with the fantasy auction or whatever else comes her way.  Erin’s youth and energy are a blessing to the committee and we welcome her with open arms.  

Susan Childs Jr. - Yes, there are two Susan Childs, and yes they are related.  We normally go by Junior for this one and Senior for the other, but this year we decided to have a name change and hopefully that will make it easier for all.  Susan joined our committee officially last year and the entire committee can only say THANK YOU.  Susan will accept any job we give her and this year we have definitely given her some major jobs.  Susan is totally responsible for our fundraising efforts with our raffle that is going on right now.  She is the contact for the companies donating the products, to dealing with the foundation re ticket sales, to coordinating distribution of tickets and also the displaying of the raffle prizes.  Susan has been a member of the Fort William Curling Club for many years and we know that her connection with the club and her excellent organization skills will benefit the committee immensely.