This is a VERY exciting blog post, as it represents a great deal of creative brainstorming and collaboration among several dedicated individuals/entities…
It is no secret that the single greatest barrier standing between GOALS and getting as many kids as we can into wilderness river canyons throughout 2011 is fund raising. I’m continually asking individuals and corporations for financial support, and have recently hosted a few small events aimed at generating awareness of our mission and the funds necessary to accomplish it. I can’t express enough gratitude to those of you who have been involved in these events or have supported us with your own finances.
The leadership of GOALS has come to realize that the best way to make the masses aware of what we’re all about – and raise a large sum of money at the same time – is to sponsor events that appeal to the masses. We’ve created the “Get Up, Get Down, Get Out” vertical challenge in the hopes of doing just that. Participants will pledge to ski or ride at least 10,000 vertical feet at Loveland Ski Area on Saturday, March 19th, 2011. Prior to doing so, they’ll ask friends, family members, and anyone else who recognizes the need for programs that take kids away from screen and into the great outdoors. Pledges can be generated online and are based on the number of vertical feet skied. Sponsors can make pledges at:
- One cent per vertical foot skied/ridden ($100 pledge)
- One cent per 2 vertical feet skied/ridden ($50 pledge)
- One cent per 5 vertical feet skied/ridden ($20 pledge)
or in any other amount that they feel comfortable with.
Event participants are asked to generate a minimum of $100 in pledges, and can become eligible for some amazing prizes (including a 2011-2012 Loveland Season Pass and a pair of Icelantic skis) as the amount of pledges they gather increases.
This promises to be an exciting, fun event amid great spring skiing conditions. Live leader boards at the base area will show every participant’s real-time stats, including total vertical feet and total distance covered, average and top speed, etc. At the end of the day, regardless of your “stats”, you’ll drive away from the resort knowing that you just did your part to change a kid’s life through a week in a wilderness river canyon.
I hope that you’ll be a part of this event- either as a skier/rider or as a supporter of someone else who is skiing/riding. I’ll make it very easy for you:
Register for the event here – OR – Sponsor an event participant here.
If you have any questions about the event or how to be involved, please contact me at brett@goals4youth.org.
