Mike has Been Recognized by a Number of Diverse Organizations. We will try to Post Additional Information and Images of these Events Here... Check Back Often.
"Celebration of Life" Memorial Service at Serrano High School
A bunch of people demonstrated their love for Mike - We set out 400 chairs on Friday night but had over twice that many people show up!
See Mountaineer-Progress Newspaper Article for info about the ceremony.
MORE PHOTOS and LINK to PhotoBucket UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Thanks to: Harvey Gamble and Mike Ogborn for coordinating the SHS facilities; Quita Gonzales and MJ and Nate Jeffries for the AV displays; Mike Fell and the other presenters who told Mike's stories; all of our friends who contributed flowers, food, pictures and helped set up the display tables; and especially to Jeff and Lisa Berg for holding our hands and helping us through this terrible time.
Note #1 - There was a basketball game on Friday night at SHS- After the game, we showed up with 75 people to eat pizza, set the stage, rig the AV screens/computers and set up the displays and chairs. After the service on Saturday morning, all of this equipment had to be put away, so SHS could set up and use the gym for Winter Prom that night. Thanks again to all those who helped.
Note #2 - There were about 100 Ski Patrollers in attendance at the service. Ski Patrollers came in from other ski resorts on Saturday to cover Mountain High, so that the local patrollers could pay their respects to Mike. What a nice gesture from these brother and sister Patrolers.
Note #3 - Many of Mike's friends and co-workers had to be at work at Mountain High and so could not attend the service. Mountain High later hosted their own memorial service for Mike and Darren so that more people could attend. MH announced that Ski runs were being named after Mike and Darren. (See below.)
City of Solana Beach Department of Marine Safety
Mike was named "Rookie of Year - 2007” by the City of Solana Beach Lifeguards. SBLG then renamed their ROY Perpetual Award as the “Mountain Mike Rookie of the Year” (Mike's nickname at SBLG was "Mountain Mike".) (Also - see Scholarships tab.)
“Paddle Out” Ceremony hosted by SBLG – August 2008 (Thanks Colin!)
"Live Life - Remember Mike" - Those Wrist bands we hand out originated at this 'Paddle Out'... Ask us about our rings sometime
"Iron Mike" Paddle (August 2010) - Three LGs (Brennen Leftwick, Pete Dougherty and Evan Laveman) paddled 35+ miles in memory of Mike! They collected donations with proceeds benefiting the SBLG Association and the MMMF - Thanks Guys!)
Mountain High Ski Resort (Wrightwood, CA)
Mountain High Ski Resort Memorial Service - “McKay’s Glades” Ski Run was named in Mike’s Honor
TEAM MOUTAIN HIGH - Coffee/McKay Memorial J4/5 GS & SL Race
"Frightwood 5K at 6K" (Also see "Frightwood 5K" Tab on our website.
The Quilt
Remember the Quilt that was displayed at the Memorial service? A bunch of friends showed up that week to finish it off... Thanks, Ladies.
Other
San Bernardino County Supervisor’s Recognition
Solana Beach City Council Recognition
US Surgeon General Recognition – Organ Donation
National Ski Patrol Dinner Recognition June 14th 2008
A “Star” was Named in his Honor
A Tree in Israel was Planted
Wrightwood Little League Dedicated their 2008 Season to Mike and Darren - Laura and Keith through out the Opening Pitches
National University (La Jolla, CA) - Based on his progress to date, Mike was posthumously awarded his Master’s Degree in Child Psychology.