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January 2011

www.adaptivesportsfoundation.org • asfwindham@mhcable.com • Join us on Facebook

IN THIS EDITION:

2nd annual Ride2Live Project rocked ASF December 12 and 13, 2010

Paul R. Carey Ski-A-Thon a success

Volunteer Spotlight on Chris and Chrissy Banker

ASF Race Team members attend Ski Spectacular

Wounded Warriors enjoy snowsports in Windham

Beard Contest???

Taking a look back at ASF in 2010

Please join us for ASF's Annual Gala & Silent Auction,7:30 pm, February 5, 2011

Wintergreen Club hosts women only Warriors in Motion fundraiser

Buy a raffle ticket and win a Bobcat 4 x4 UTV

Yoga at ASF? Yes: President's Week

ASF Wish List

Thank you to our generous supporters:

Affiliations:

Do you have 200 friends? Would they help by donating $5 to your passion? Then you can easily raise $500 for ASF.

We have put together a pretty cool fundraising website that we would like you to know about.

Basically, the website program allows you to have a personal web page that you, or someone you know, can use to raise money on behalf of ASF. It is very user-friendly, so it should only take you a few minutes to use, even if you aren't too computer savvy.

It's as easy as 1, 2, 3!

1. Visit the ASF Talking Points website.

2. Set up your ASF Talking Points page.

3. Send the page out to your email list and Facebook friends.

For examples, please take a look at the fundraising pages ASF staff members Adam, Bob, and Jo have set up.

In addition, you can visit our website for some talking points and photos / videos you might want to use on your ASF Talking Points page. If you have any questions or would like some assistance, feel free to email Adam or call him at 518-734-5070.

2nd Annual Ride2Live Project rocked ASF December 12 and 13, 2010

ASF Instructor Carrie Miles and Danny.

On December 12, 2010, ASF marked another milestone with the Ride2Live Project kicking off its second year, introducing children and teens with Autism Spectrum Disorders to the exhilarating world of snowboarding. With the help of 12 instructors, plus private sponsors and inside volunteers, the project also helped parents realize that not only can they enjoy winter sports, but that they can do this together as a family. There's something for everyone at ASF and Windham Mountain.

Katie and ASF instructor Rickie McClain.

"The project was created to be multifaceted, to help students reach new potentials trying a new sport, to provide opportunities to socialize and to help parents network and realize that they too can learn something new," said co-founder Karen Elder.

Six children and teens participated in this year's project. Just like last year, we had one great day of sun and snow and one day of total rain. And just like last year, this did not deter either our students or our instructors from going out on both days and giving it their all.

"Each family took the time to let us know they were amazed by the patience, care and dedication that every one of our volunteer instructors demonstrated out on the hill this weekend," said Ride2Live Project co-founder Vince Passione. "They arrived skeptical since most times they are told what their child can't, won't, or just plain will never be able to do.

Esteben and his Dad displaying Esteben's medal.

They left, with a sense that their child can ride and that there is enough talent and positive energy at the ASF to make snowboarding something their child will enjoy for life."

At a special dinner to salute everyone invited Project Ambassadors Zach Elder and Megan Hopkins talked to students and parents about how snowboarding helped change their lives. To wrap up the weekend, each participant received a Ride2Live medal. Zach presented each medal in honor of the participant's passage from "newbie" to snowboarder.

Thank you to all who participated in this year's Paul R. Carey Ski-A-Thon on January 7, 2011. Participants raised $33,000 for ASF. Special thanks go to Kevin O'Connor for "chairing" the event and raising the most money ($21,000.)

Kevin and Christine and their children.

"We're the kitchen crew," said Chrissy Banker. "Chris does the grill and I'm known for my healthy salads." On nice days, before the Gwen Allard Adaptive Sports Center opened, the Bankers could be found grilling lunch on the patio at Windham's main lodge. When AFS's building opened in 2006, Chris and Chrissy started flipping burgers on ASF's deck. "At first we were grilling on the nice, sunny days," said Chrissy. "Next, the word spread and we were doing it every weekend, in all kinds of weather. Originally it was all on the deck, then Jimmy Barnes got us the steam table and we moved inside."

It's a family affair for the Banker clan, who live in Belle Harbor, New York. 15-year-old Brittany helps with the dicing, chopping and shopping, works in the ASF Playroom and aspires to be a volunteer instructor next year. 12-year-old Jackie is a slicer, dicer and server and 7-year-old Christian is the cookie inspector.

(l to r) Chrissy, Jackie, Brittany, Chris and Christian Banker.

Of the kitchen crew, Chrissy said, "Half of us are related and half are friends. We're all so close, it's like we're all family.

When asked what keeps them coming up every weekend, Chrissy said, "Driving home this weekend after meeting all the soldiers, and listening to my kids talking about them and all their amazing stories, I found myself smiling and enjoying hearing who they met. It is clear this is why we are here, in giving of our time we receive so much more in return. Meeting the wonderful people that breeze in and out of that building from all walks of life, with such different backgrounds, with so many inspiring stories, keeps our family very grounded and reminds us of what's truly important in life."

ASF is very fortunate to benefit from the Banker family's culinary skills, smiles and generous hearts.

Two ASF Race Team athletes received scholarships and attended the Hartford Ski Spectacular Race Festival at Breckenridge Ski Resort in Colorado, December 5 - 12, 2010.

The week-long race camp was for independent skiers with disabilities who have aspirations to become better ski racers. The participants had the opportunity to train with national US Adaptive Team coaches and athletes.

"We pretty much ran gates and did drills the whole time, which I liked," said ASF Race Team member John Eckbold. "Even the students were at a high level. You could learn one thing from every student, whether it was what to do, or what not to do."

"It was amazing. So much fun. I loved it," said ASF Race Team member Robyn Davis. Robyn trains with ASF's race team on weekends and John trains at ASF mid-week.

(l to r) Liam and Lexi Jordan, Robyn Davis, Harold and John Eckbold and Bob Speck at Breckenridge in December.

Bob Speck, ASF training coordinator, also attended as a coach on a scholarship from Disabled Sports USA. "It was a great experience for all of us. We trained together, we enjoyed some skiing together, and we lived and ate and commuted together! Certainly, we all got to know each other better. We also got to know potential future ASF race team members, Lexi and Liam Jordan, who were also attending the event. We all made many contacts with other athletes, coaches, and program directors, and better familiarized ourselves with the process of developing future ASF Paralympians. Oh yeah, and the two feet of fresh snow we received during the week also helped make the experience especially memorable!"

John said, "It was kind of cool that Paralympians were there like Ralph Green and Chris Devon Young. CDY is my idol."

US Adaptive Alpine Team Coach Eric Lierfallom, who will be ASF's guest coach for the Eric D. Dettenrieder Race Camp February 23 - 26, was one of the coaches our athletes worked with at the Breckenridge event. To find out more about the Eric D. Dettenrieder Race Camp at ASF this Februrary, click here.

"I can't begin to thank you enough for the weekend that I had at Windham. It
was the best time that I have had in a long time. It was my first time
skiing and I fell in love with it," said Brett Cassavant, Sgt. USMC Retired. "I met some great people there. I was able to meet wounded guys from all over the country that I would have never met before. I am so glad that I was able to go. Thank you and everyone else that helped out. It was incredible."

29 Wounded Warriors and their family members and friends attended ASF's Warriors in Motion Snowsports weekend January 6 - 9, 2011. The weather cooperated with 8" of fresh fluffy snow falling on Friday and sunshine on Saturday. Over 150 ASF volunteer (including a convoy from the FDNY who drove up from New York City to shuttle the participants from venue to venue), our generous sponsors, and Windham Mountain made this weekend not only possible, but a success.

Stephen K Valyou USA EOD (RET)with his volunteer instructors.

"Thank you so much for the time and attention you devoted to me to help me
learn to ski," wrote Erik Burmeister, Sgt. Army National Guard (RET) to his volunteer instructor. "I feel like I made a lot of progress because of you. Your enthusiasm and excitement and belief in me did wonders in bolstering my confidence and fighting feelings of failure. I can't tell you enough how much pleasure it brought me to hear your genuine delight in how well you thought I was doing as I skied with you right behind me. It made me feel so good and gave me so much more hope that I could actually ski well one day."

Casey, Braylee and Frank Washburn, Army Capt. 0-3 (RET)

Click here to view a News Channel 13 report on the weekend.

Click here to view a photo album of the weekend.

Click here to donate to ASF's Warriors in Motion Fund.

at Windham Mountain’s exclusive private club, the Club at Windham Mountain. Enjoy the beautiful setting and ambiance of the club, which is accessed by a private, wood paneled elevator, and features a gorgeous dining room, lounge, tavern, and several massive fireplaces.

Admire the picturesque slopeside views of Windham Mountain, enjoy the great food and spirits, and join in the fun of the silent auction. Items available for your bid will include trips to exotic locales, golfing at some of the areas finest courses, and hard-to-get tickets to special events, concerts, and ball games.

Gala tickets are $125 per person. Click here to purchase your tickets.

To sponsor the Gala please contact Cherisse Young at 518.734-5070 or cyoung@mhcable.com.

To donate an item to the silent auction click here to complete and return an acquisition form. Items may be shipped to the ASF or dropped off daily between 8:30am and 4:30pm. Your donation will be acknowledged in our auction journal.

Wintergreen Club hosts women only Warriors in Motion fundraiser

"When a group of women come together, we laugh, we share, we bond, we cry, we motivate," said Ireshekia Henry, SFC U.S. Army Retired.

Each year the Adaptive Sports Foundation offers a women's retreat for permanently injured veterans. The event is a chance for women to learn to play golf with adaptive equipment and techniques, experience guided yoga sessions and share laughs over a cooking class!

Here's a chance for you to have a fun night with friends and support this women's retreat. You are invited to the Wintergreen Club for a wine and beer tasting, food and raffle on Saturday, February 12, 2011 from 7 pm to 11 pm. Admission is $50 per person and all proceeds go to the Adaptive Sports Foundation women's Warriors in Motion fund. Please RSVP by February 10th to Stevie Kiziukiewicz via email: optimumhealth@bigplanet.com

Enter to win and this could be yours!

Buy a raffle ticket and have a 1 in 500 chance to be the lucky grand prize winner of a Bobcat 3400 4X4 UTV or a first prize winner of a Ski & Stay Vacation at Windham Mountain. Only 500 tickets will be sold. Tickets are $50 each. The raffle drawing is March 12, 2011. You do not have to be present at the drawing to win. All proceeds benefit the Adaptive Sports Foundation. Click here to purchase your raffle tickets now.

Yoga at ASF? Yes: President's week

Join us to stretch, flex and destress.

ASF set up for yoga class.

5:30 - 6:30 pm
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday
February 21, 22 and 24, 2011
No experience necessary.
Classes held at Gwen Allard Adaptive Sports Center.
$30 fee for all 3 classes.

To register send $30 to:
Jo Kirsch - Yoga
Adaptive Sports Foundation
PO Box 266
Windham, NY 12496

Questions? Email or call Jo at 802.379.4514

ASF Wish List
Anyone interested in donating any of the items below, please contact us at asfwindham@mhcable.com.

Hand and toe warmers, ipad, portable DVD player, Flip video camera, Staples gift cards, 15 passenger van, enclosed trailer, new laptop computer; computer speakers, copy paper, new high volume fax machine, small printer/copier combo, file folders, pens, a multi disk cd burner - able to burn multiple cds at a time, toilet paper, bottled water, paper towels.

Newsletter articles are compiled by Jo Kirsch, ASF Special Projects and Event Coordinator, and copyedited by ASF Training Coordinator Bob Speck and ASF Operations Director Kim Seevers. We invite articles by ASF volunteers, participants and staff. Please submit articles to jkirsch@mhcable.com for consideration in future newsletters.