SHOWN AT THE Dickinson Area Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony for The Family Snowshoe Charity Association are, from left, chamber ambassadors Michelle Warner, Jill Mondloch, Tamara Juul and Mindy Meyers; Jean O’Dette, FSCA president; Becky Cecconi of Pine Grove Country Club, where the snowshoe event will take place; ambassador Ray King; Diane Blaskowski, FSCA board; Kelly Benjamin of Pine Grove; Patti Carollo, FSCA board; Kevin Kretz of Pine Grove; Barbara Cromwell, FSCA vice president; Dave Kastin, Dickinson Area Tourism Association; Tanya DalSanto, FSCA secretary; and Jennifer Croschere and Jessica Zeuske, FSCA board. The Stomp the Snow fundraising event is set for Jan. 21. (Marguerite Lanthier/Daily News photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — The Dickinson Area Chamber of Commerce recently had a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new member, The Family Snowshoe Charity Association.

They now join ranks with 400-plus other businesses in the area that get the benefits of chamber membership.

Earlier this year, a group of individuals tossed around an idea of having a family snowshoe event in Dickinson County. With the backing of First National Bank & Trust and Pine Grove Country Club, the concept was presented during the spring Dickinson Area Partners meeting and received overwhelming support from the schools, municipalities, Dickinson Area Community Foundation, the chamber and the Dickinson Area Tourism Association.

The group formed a board consisting of Jean O’Dette, president; Barbara Cromwell, vice president; Tanya DalSanto, secretary; Matthew Lutz, treasurer; and at-large board members Patti Carollo, Sue Glime, Jennifer Croschere, Diane Blaskowski and Jessica Zeuske.

They officially received a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization status in September.

The sole purpose of this organization is to provide the community with a family-oriented snowshoe lantern-lit evening event while raising awareness and funds for other local charities. Their inaugural event will be known as “Stomp the Snow.”

The free event will be 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, at Pine Grove Country Club. Families, groups and individuals who regularly snowshoe or those who would like to learn how are encouraged to participate in this walk. A limited number of snowshoes will be available to use during the evening for those who want to try this winter activity.

More than 170 oil lanterns will be placed throughout the three trails –half-mile, 1 mile and 1.75 miles — illuminating the woods.

First National Bank & Trust and Pine Grove Country Club are the major sponsors. Live music, games, lighted tunnel, hot chocolate and campfire s’mores are being provided free to participants through additional sponsorships.

Pine Grove’s pizza bar and adult beverages will be available to purchase before, during and after the walk inside the club’s facilities.

Each year, two local non-profit groups will be chosen to receive the net proceeds as long as they agree to provide volunteers for the event. This year, The Caring House and Hardcore Scriptures Outdoors were randomly chosen. The goal of the organization is that not only will the two non-profit groups benefit but also the participants, local hotels, gas stations, restaurants and area retail stores would benefit from people visiting our community to join in the fun.

“The community has been so receptive and generous, making us extremely excited about this inaugural event,” O’Dette said. “Within the first few days of making the event public, we had all of our larger-level sponsorships filled. Everything is falling in place to make this an experience people will talk about and want to make it an annual experience. We can see this being be a huge success and growing every year.”

The group may be contacted by email at StompTheSnow@hotmail.com. They are also on Facebook at “Stomp The Snow.”