Mike McKay Memorial Foundation
Mike McKay Memorial Foundation

Mike Has Been Recognized by a Number of Diverse Organizations -

"Celebration of Life"

Memorial Service - Serrano HS

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! The chairs and stadium seating were filled as over 1000 friends and family remembered Mike.

Stage and gym displayed Mike's Life
Ski Patrol filled one section of seats
Ocean Life Guards share their memories of Mike
Life Guards, Fire and EMS personnel pay their respects
Daisy kept watch on the service

See Mountaineer-Progress Newspaper Article for info about the ceremony.

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 who officiated, 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, erect the stage, rig the AV screens/computers, set up the displays and put out all those 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 West Coast 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 Patrollers.

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 ceremony for Mike and Darren so that more people could attend. MH announced that Ski runs were being named after Mike and Darren. (See below.)
Mountaineer-Progress Newspaper Article
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Solana Beach Lifeguards

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!)
Iron Mike
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The Solana Beach Lifeguard Association then started the "Iron Mike Paddle" Race and Street Festival in 2013.
Mountain High Ski Resort (Wrightwood, CA)

Mountain High Ski Resort Memorial Service - “McKay’s Glades” Ski Run was named in Mike’s Honor
TEAM MOUNTAIN HIGH - Coffee/McKay Memorial J4/5 GS & SL Race

National Ski Patrol

The Southern California Region of the National Ski Patrol has established the Mike McKay Memoral Student Patroller of the Year Award. (They confided that the top of the trophey reminded them of Mike!)
NSP Student Patroller-of-the-Year Johanna Bible (2011 & 2012 Winner!)

Wrightwood Running Club

The Wrightwood Running Club decided to create a Halloween-themed race event in Wrightwood. Proceeds from the "Frightwood 5K at 6K" benefit our Foundation and other community organizations. (Also see "Frightwood 5K" Tab on our website.)
Original Frightwood Poster. Logo Design by Alan Galura- Thanks Alan!

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.
American Lifeguard Magazine Article-
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 threw 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. This award was announced at his memorial service.
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"Go Outside and Hug a Tree, or Make it Two... I Like Being Outside. I'll See You There."