Volunteers of the Year

The 2015 Alpine World Ski Championships had come to an end, a major storm had rolled in, and FIS Director of Operations Mike Kertesz needed a ride to the airport for himself and his young family.

Fortunately for Kertesz, a calm and seasoned volunteer driver was at hand: Bill Fisher. By the time the eight-hour drive had concluded, Kertesz and his family had safely arrived. More importantly, he had gained a new friend.

Five years later the 2020 Grizzly Creek fire closed I-70 through Glenwood Canyon and left hundreds of motorists stranded, stressed, and without food. Fortunately for those who were stuck, a calm and seasoned volunteer from the Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Canteen helped deliver food to stranded motorists and emergency workers: Sara Fisher.

Those who know Gypsum residents Sara and Bill Fisher can share hundreds of stories like those above.

Therefore, in recognition of their many decades of exceptional volunteer contributions to multiple organizations throughout the community, the nonprofit Vail Valley Foundation was pleased to name Sara and Bill Fisher the 2023 Vail Valley Volunteers of the Year.

“Sara and Bill exemplify what it means to give back to one’s community,” said Vail Valley Foundation President Mike Imhof. “They are a pleasure to know. They are innately kind, and they are always proactively seeking ways to help others in whatever way they can. They are wonderful examples of the volunteer spirit which not only is the core of our organization, and so many other nonprofits in our Valley, but also of our community as a whole.”

Sara and Bill have been a part of the Eagle River Valley community for decades. Along with their support of the Vail Valley Foundation’s Alpine World Ski Championships and annual Xfinity Birds of Prey events, Sara and Bill have contributed time and expertise to a host of local organizations.

Good, and faithful, servants

Sara is a fourth generation Montanan and came to the Valley in the late 1970s. She credits much of her “can-do” disposition to her upbringing.

“My mother raised us with a mind set and a quote, ‘…Be happy while you’re living as you’re a long time dead,’” Sara recalls. “As well as, ‘…helping others will help you more.’ These are two of the rocks of my foundation.”

Along with her extensive volunteer contributions to the Vail Valley Foundation, Sara has volunteered with Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Canteen, Hospice of the Valley, The Resource Center, Eagle County Fair and Rodeo, the Highway Clean Up, and as an Election Judge, among many other volunteer contributions to the Valley. Sara is also very active in supporting the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, and also served as Eagle County Clerk and Recorder from 1994-2002 and served on the Eagle County Board of Commissioners from 2006-2014.

Jan Jackson, of Hospice of the Valley, credits Sara for having the vision to create the organization’s annual fundraiser, “Hearts of Remembrance.”

“Sara speaks up, she has good ideas, and she’s willing to put really do what she offers to do,” Jackson said.

Dan Smith of the Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Canteen said Sara is not only a tireless worker, but that she has a natural ability to work with all kinds of people, even in difficult situations.

“Some of these situations can be difficult and she is very good at handling people, and that just takes a very special person,” Smith said.

“In my 29 years of service, neither Sara or Bill has ever said no to me about helping anyone, ever,” said Father Brooks Keith of the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration. “Sara and Bill have served as loyal, adoptive adult children supporting many seniors locally whose own families live far away, and never once claiming attention for themselves as they do. When we desperately need help, they step in. They both know how to calm the turbulent waters, and be in situations of crisis with great wisdom and calmness.

“There is a Biblical phrase, ‘Well done, good, and faithful servants.’” Father Brooks continued. “On behalf of the grateful Church and congregation, and the many people that they help I want to say, ‘Well done good and faithful servants.”

Smiling, friendly faces

Sara and Bill met in 1988, married in 1990, and moved to Gypsum in 1992. Bill is a long-time local, having come to West Vail, “in the back of my parent’s station wagon,” in 1968. His first job was as “the lemonade kid,” at the Golden Peak tennis courts.

Bill was a ski technician with Vail Associates, was promoted to foreman then to manager. He was there 16 seasons before leaving in 1996 and running a painting business. He always found ways to support the surrounding community. His volunteer painting work has been a boost to Habitat for Humanity Eagle Valley for many years. He has also been a strong supporter and volunteer for the ECO Trails project, serving on the citizen’s committee since 1997. He was on the Gypsum Planning Committee from the mid to late 90s, and also volunteers with the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration.

Bill began volunteering with the Vail Valley Foundation at the 2014 Birds of Prey ski races, and quickly became a lead on the transportation team. His years of driving in mountain weather, combined with his kind demeanor, has made him a favorite among the athletes, artists, and officials whom he chauffeurs to-and-from various Vail Valley Foundation events.

“Bill and Sara have been a smiling, friendly-face, fixture of the Birds of Prey as long as I have been here,” said FIS Director of Race Operations Mike Kertesz, who befriended Bill on that stormy day in 2015. “They are some of the core crew of volunteers that we all look forward to seeing every year when the ‘White Circus’ returns to Beaver Creek. I’m honored to know them.”

“Bill has always been a tenacious supporter of the ECO Trails system. His first goal was to ensure the downvalley communities had equal standing in the work to connect communities by trail using the ECO Transportation Tax, but also to advocate that proposed Gypsum developments provide walking and bicycling infrastructure for their residents or customers, and a connection to the Eagle Valley Trail when possible,” said Ellie Caryl, former Director of the ECO Trails program. “Bill is fun to work with, and always has a quip to complement his analytical and practical way of thinking.”

“Sara and Bill Fisher have been long-time volunteers with Habitat Vail Valley. They embodied the spirit of giving back — working alongside friends and neighbors to build community. They radiate positivity and are always welcome on our jobsite!” said Kalie Palmer, Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley Director of Human Resources.

“There are so many wonderful volunteers in our community and I am thrilled that Bill and Sara Fisher are the 2023 Volunteers of the Year,” said Joanna Kerwin, the 2020 Vail Valley Volunteer of the Year. “Over the years they have given so much of their time and talent for the Vail Dance Festival, the Mountain Games, and Birds of Prey. They also always go the extra mile when volunteering… and in Bill’s case it is 1000’s of extra miles on I-70! Sara is always smiling and keeps the athletes, spectators, and volunteers safe in a very active area. We are all looking forward to celebrating Bill and Sara at Xfinity Birds of Prey!”

“Sara and Bill …  have delivered food and supplies to emergency personnel multiple times and Sara even brings an elderly person who no longer drives to church,” said Sue and Dan Godec, who received the Vail Valley Volunteer of the Year award in 2022. “They are quick to help those in need. They are a wonderful choice for the Volunteers of the Year!”

Sara and Bill will be celebrated at the 2024 GoPro Mountain Games.