27th Annual Ski-A-Thon On Track For Historic Success For Maine Adaptive

NEWRY- Despite the slow start of winter and lack of natural snow, Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation’s flagship fundraiser, the Ski-A-Thon, is ahead of previous years in terms of participation and funds raised to date. With a little more than a week until the March 24 event, nearly 70 teams have joined and started fundraising on behalf of the organization’s mission of providing and promoting adaptive recreation for people with physical disabilities.
To participate in the Ski-A-Thon, the 27th installment, of which takes place at Sunday River on March 24th, teams of five people that collect a minimum of $1000 in pledges, an average of $200 each, convene at Sunday River for a day of free skiing and on-mountain activities for the whole family, followed by dinner and an awards ceremony.
All participants can ski downhill or cross-country for free on the day of the event, and also receive free meals and many opportunities and contests exclusive to Ski-A-Thon participants. The event typically raises over $325,000 for Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation, formerly called Maine Handicapped Skiing.
More teams are signed up than any year at this point in the past five years. Additionally, Maine Adaptive has enhanced its communication and support for Ski-A-Thon fundraisers. Participants gain access to fundraising online with FirstGiving, a service that allows users to spread the word about the cause via email, website links and social media. Maine Adaptive staff sends weekly suggestions for creative fundraising strategies, shares tips from top fundraisers, and provides resources such as printed material, photos and videos to help enhance their pitches. Efforts are paying off so far; online donations are up by nearly $10,000 to date, a 33% increase over the previous best year.
“We are so grateful for the efforts of everyone out there fundraising on our behalf. We’re also very enthused by the numbers and results so far, especially given what the first few months of winter have been like. With the buzz surrounding our name change and our organization’s 30th anniversary, we’re expecting an excellent event,” said Maine Adaptive’s Ski-A-Thon coordinator Gabe Perkins. “If Sunday River can get people skiing in October year after year, we know we can depend on having quality skiing in late March, regardless of what Mother Nature delivers. It’s wonderful to have it reaffirmed that our Ski-A-Thon fundraisers and supporters are just as dependable.”
Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation was founded as Maine Handicapped Skiing at Sunday River in 1982, making this the 30th winter season. While skiing and winter sports are still a core part of Maine Adaptive’s programming, for years the organization has also provided summer adaptive sports lessons in paddling, golf, cycling, fishing. Over 400 people with disabilities benefit from the program each year. In one day, the Ski-A-Thon raises 65% of Maine Adaptive’s budget for the entire year, allowing Maine Adaptive to provide all lessons for free.
“The 27th Annual Ski-A-Thon is on pace to be the most successful ever, but we can’t do it without more support,” said Perkins. “The lion’s share of our fundraising happens in the last month so now is the time to sign up your team and help us make the final push to March 24.”
Anyone wishing to create or join a team, make a pledge, or learn more about the organization or event may visit www.maineadaptive.org, contact sat@maineadaptive.org or call (800) 639-7770.