Vail shop to aid Nepal recovery
VAIL — Responding to former employee Ang Lhakpa Sherpa’s request to place a donation box at Grappa Fine Wines & Spirits to assist earthquake victims in Nepal, the store has committed to donate 10 percent of its sales for the month of May to the Greater Himalayan Foundation’s efforts to assist people in the Khumbu region of Nepal.
“The Greater Himalayan Foundation is a nonprofit entirely staffed by volunteers,” Ang said. “I’ve researched various ways and organizations to help my country. The vast majority of funds raised will go to the people who need it. Focusing on the Khumbu region will get much-needed aid to the high mountain region of Nepal, which hasn’t, to date, had any assistance from the government.”
“We’ve all been brought to tears by the devastation in Nepal,” said Jonathan Staufer, owner of Grappa Fine Wines & Spirits. “Like so many of us in Vail, we are thankful to have many friends in Vail’s Sherpa and exiled Tibetan communities. We want to help, show our support; and we are grateful to Ang for providing this opportunity.”
‘NUMBER OF EFFORTS’
The Khumbu region is home to Mount Everest. The region’s economy is entirely geared to tourism and trekking. There will be no trekking season this year, and people reeling from the devastation of the earthquake will have no income.
Support Local Journalism
“It is still snowing in the Himalayas and people are sleeping in tents, if they have them,” Ang said.
“There will be a number of efforts, large and small, throughout Vail to help the people of Nepal,” Staufer said. “Vail is a very generous community. Thanks to Ang, we know that our small contribution will help a great number of people.”
There is a donation box at Grappa Fine Wines & Spirits, which is open daily from 10 a.m. until midnight. In addition to pitching in change, buying beer, wine and spirits, contributions to the Greater Himalayan Foundation may also be made online at theghf.org/khumbu. Donation boxes are also at Village Market and Ptarmigan Sports in Edwards.
