This year the Tin Cup Challenge in working with Teton Valley Community Recycling, will introduce new sustainability measures at the annual event including the JH20 water refill station that will be available at the Driggs City Center the day of the event. Bring your own water bottles and fill up for free!

 By Jeannette Boner

While there are many constants to the annual Tin Cup Challenge — the generosity in giving, the nonprofits, the race, the fun — the Community Foundation of Teton Valley is always looking for ways to improve and build upon this community event.

This year, working in conjunction with the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole, Teton Valley Community Recycling, and a host of other supporters, the Foundation is taking steps to “green” the July 16^th Tin Cup Challenge celebration like never before.

Using a model as laid out through the Council for Responsible Sport, Tin Cup participants and event-goers will find a more sustainable Tin Cup celebration as we make efforts to reuse, reduce and recycle with gusto.

One of the more tangible changes will include the JH2O water refill station secured by Teton Valley Community Recycling. On loan from Jackson Hole Community Recycling, everyone is encouraged to bring their own water bottle and fill up for free this year!

“Single-use disposable water bottles constitute over half of all #1 plastics collected for recycling by the Teton County Integrated Solid Waste and Recycling in Teton County, Wyoming,” said Mac Dukart, Waste Diversion and Outreach Coordinator for Teton County Integrated Solid Waste and Recycling.

“The national recycling rate for plastic water bottles is only 20 percent, which means more plastic water bottles end up in the landfill than are being recycled.  At a conservative estimate based on national statistics – which estimates that Americans used 50 billion plastic water bottles last year, of which 40 billion ended up in landfills – Teton County, Wyoming sent between 8 to 10 million disposable water bottles to the landfill last year.”

In addition to this “Bring Your Own Bottle” initiative, McDonald’s of Jackson Hole, as host of the free breakfast on event day, will work with Seniors West of the Tetons, to ensure that excess food is re-distributed to our senior community members. And those extra Tin Cup t-shirts? They will be donated to the Humanitarian Center in Idaho Falls, an organization that will distribute the clothing to those in need.

Finally, as in 2015, the Foundation will be providing recycling bins throughout the event, generously donated by RAD Curbside. This year, however, will mark the first year the Foundation and Teton Valley Community Recycling will measure the waste diverted to track Tin Cup recycling efforts from year to year.

About the Tin Cup Challenge

Serving as both a 9-week giving period and a one day celebration of the community’s spirit of generosity, the Tin Cup Challenge has raised over $8 million in just eight years for Teton Valley nonprofits and over $1 million each year for the last five years. 2016 marks the 9th year for the annual event and the Community Foundation of Teton Valley will be accepting donations benefitting participating local nonprofits now through Friday, July 22, 2016 at 5pm.  

“The Tin Cup Challenge is truly unique in that it helps to leverage the funds raised by our local nonprofits with matching funds provided by our Challengers,” said Carrie Mowrey, Community Foundation Executive Director.  “This promotes a culture of generosity in our community and encourages everyone to give to their favorite nonprofits during the Tin Cup Challenge giving period.”

The July 16th celebration will take place on the plaza at Driggs City Center from8:30 a.m. to noon with family activities for all ages brought to you by participating nonprofits and a free breakfast courtesy of McDonald’s of Jackson Hole. At 9 a.m., attendees are invited to participate in the 5K Fun Run/Walk or the 5K/10K competitive races. It’s a day of fun, it’s a day of generosity and, most importantly, it’s a day for our community to come together in celebration and support of Teton Valley nonprofits and all that they do to make our lives, our community and our world a better place.

For more information about the Tin Cup Challenge and how you can participate, visit www.tincupchallenge.org or call 208-354-0230.

Thank you for considering your gift to the TVCR through the Tin Cup!