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Fundraiser proves to be quite a challenge
For some, just walking in snow is the challenge. But in the town of Old Forge, New York, that challenge gets kicked up a notch each year.
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Kiwanians from the Central Adirondacks club work hard each year to make the Winter Sports Challenge a success. |
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For the past six years, the Kiwanis Club of Central Adirondacks, Old Forge has sponsored the Winter Sports Challenge.
“The Winter Sports Challenge is a Kiwanis fundraiser that includes cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and an indoor walk for those who cannot participate in the outdoor activity,” says 2005-06 club secretary Bob Van Slyke.
The event, which takes place in February at McCauley Mountain ski resort during the annual Old Forge Winter Carnival, has been a popular event for many years. Participants solicit sponsors, who in turn pay an amount per mile skied or snow-shoed, or a fixed amount. Local businesses offer door prizes, and snowshoe manufacturers are on hand to loan snowshoes for the event.
“The Kiwanis Winter Sports Challenge started in 2001,” Bob says. “During that time, we have raised nearly US$31,000.”
The money is set aside for a club activities, such as the Kiwanis Automatic Electronic Defibrillator (AED) project. The AED project has awarded grants to area organizations to purchase and install the defibrillators in the community. Twelve AEDs were purchased and installed in police vehicles, at golf courses, remote tourist locations—including one without any road access—and in four churches.
“We have sent more than $9,600 to the American Heart Association and provided grants of more than $13,700 for AEDs,” Bob says.
The club now focuses its attention on a newer project.
“In 2006, we determined our funding should be completely focused on the children in our community,” Bob says. “We made a long-term commitment to provide funds for the creation and operation of a Youth Activity Center in Old Forge.”
Planned as a Kiwanis-town-school partnership, the center will be located within walking distance of the school and will give children a place to meet.
“The 2006 Winter Sports Challenge raised more than $7,800—all of which was committed to the Kiwanis Youth Activity Center. We hope to raise at least $5,000 each year for this project.” |
