TRUCKEE, Calif. andamp;#8212; Northstar California Resort, through Vail Resorts Echo, is pleased to announce the 2011-12 grants it has awarded local nonprofit organizations.Aimed at both protecting the beautiful natural resources that surround the resorts and helping build stronger communities where the companyandamp;#8217;s employees live and work, Vail Resorts Echo encompasses three core efforts andamp;#8212; environmental stewardship, charitable giving and community volunteer engagement.Each year, Vail Resorts Echo contributes more than $6 million to more than 150 local organizations that surround its resorts. This year, Northstar has partnered with 25 nonprofits who are working to create a bright future for locals through education, environmental protection and awareness, and important services.andamp;#8220;For the first time, Northstar has created a comprehensive program that is granting both cash and in-kind donations to enable groups like the Boys andamp; Girls Club to focus on helping local teens, support critical education initiatives with Excellence in Education, and help Tahoe Forest Hospital with the construction of the new cancer center,andamp;#8221; said Bill Rock, chief operating officer at Northstar. andamp;#8220;These are just a few of the examples of the partnerships we are working to create through Vail Resorts Echo.andamp;#8221;The resort looks forward to creating tangible programs with each of the following organizations:andamp;#8226; Arts for the Schools Foundationandamp;#8226; Auburn Ski Club Associates, Inc.andamp;#8226; Boys andamp; Girls Club of North Lake Tahoeandamp;#8226; Disabled Sports USA Far Westandamp;#8226; Excellence in Education Foundationandamp;#8226; Far West Nordic Ski Education Associationandamp;#8226; Girls on the Run andamp;#8211; Sierrasandamp;#8226; Jordan and Kyra Memorial Foundationandamp;#8226; Kiwanis Club of North Lake Tahoeandamp;#8226; North Tahoe Business Associationandamp;#8226; Rotary Club of Tahoe Cityandamp;#8226; Sierra Avalanche Centerandamp;#8226; Sierra Senior Servicesandamp;#8226; Snowboard Outreach Societyandamp;#8226; Tahoe Institute for Natural Scienceandamp;#8226; Tahoe Forest Health Foundation, Incandamp;#8226; Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue Teamandamp;#8226; Tahoe SAFE Allianceandamp;#8226; Truckee Community Christmasandamp;#8226; Truckee Donner Land Trustandamp;#8226; Truckee River Watershed Councilandamp;#8226; Truckee Rotaryandamp;#8226; Tahoe Truckee Community Foundationandamp;#8226; Truckee Trails Foundationandamp;#8226; UC Berkeley Adventure Risk Challenge ProgramFor more information about Vail Resorts Echo and Northstarandamp;#8217;s contributions, visit http://www.vailresortsecho.com.