Snow Journal - Serious About Snowsports!

Home

Forums : General Discussion : The Pit
Moderated by: Chris, nelsap, Betsy

Anonymous posts are not allowed in this forum

Shameless pitch for help

Page: 1

Author	Post
LaurieP Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Jan 04, 2002 Posts: 2160 Location:	Posted: Nov 14, 2009 - 2:18 AM GMT Edited: Nov 14, 2009 - 2:19 AM GMT I run a school (public) ski and snowboard club in a town that has a 65% free and reduced lunch rate. Four years ago I got a $500 grant from the New England Ski Museum to help get some of the lesser privileged students on the snow...and have done fundraising every year to sustain the program. This year, our main fundraisers is not happening. Despite my best efforts to arrange our Ski Swap with the shop that helped us out last year (began calling in early August), it fell through as they never returned our calls. I even went to the shop 3 times and a parent that helps with fundraising went a couple times...the "big guy" was never in. So here is the thing, I got 16 applications for assistance with the cost of the program and only $500 that I can use. I was wondering if any SJ'ers and NELSAP'ers would like to sponsor a student. The ski ticket costs $105, rentals are $89 and lessons are $43Partial scholarships (or sponsorships) are welcome. I just want to get as many of the students on the snow as I can. Some students will not need rentals as the parents of our more well off students have offered equipment. Others got equipment last year in a deal I made with the owner of the former Pine Ridge Snow Park, they were able to buy the skis, boots and boards for $1 each. Since the students owned it the area was not liable. About half do not need lessons. My students range in age from 12 to 18 (grades 7-12) and from very petite little girls to rather large football players. I do not have all of the sizes now because I am not sure who I am going to b e able to offer the scholarships to. If you can help out in any way please send me a private message. A donation should be tax deductible. We go to Wachusett Mountain on Thursday nights beginning in January. I need to have monies in to Wachusett by December 1 or prices go up. I thank you for any and all help you can offer the club. Laurie __________ Born to ski...forced to work!http://teachski.com

millerm277 Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: May 28, 2006 Posts: 1133 Location:Somerset County, NJ	Posted: Nov 14, 2009 - 2:44 AM GMT Being a broke student myself, I can't help, but you might want to clarify....that sounds like multiple visits, I assume, as otherwise Wachusett must have the highest ticket prices in the country.

LaurieP Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Jan 04, 2002 Posts: 2160 Location:	Posted: Nov 14, 2009 - 1:11 PM GMT Yes, thank you millerm277. This is an 8 week program. We also have to pay $220 a week for the bus to get there which averages out to about $8.00 per student. Our friends at the bus company are trying to help reduce this by getting drivers to volunteer one trip each...then we only have to pay for the bus and fuel. Here is the addy contributions can be sent to, to make it easier. Ware Jr. Sr. High School Ski and Snowboard Club 240 West St. Ware, MA 01082 Thanks to everyone who has helped so far and thanks for all of the encouragement and well wishes. Laurie __________ Born to ski...forced to work!http://teachski.com

skierpilot Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Apr 01, 2006 Posts: 632 Location:	Posted: Nov 14, 2009 - 2:13 PM GMT I can do this. Do I make the check out to the ski club name? Also, how about accepting used equipment from everyone. It may be possible to mix and match what people donate and end up with full sets and avoid some of the rental fees. It would only cost the price of shipping. I have two pairs of R - Flextron Comp boots (size 12) that are very usable. They would work for anyone from a novice on up. I bet that alot of us have older but usable equipment that is just collecting dust.

LaurieP Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Jan 04, 2002 Posts: 2160 Location:	Posted: Nov 15, 2009 - 1:28 AM GMT Edited: Nov 15, 2009 - 1:33 AM GMT Thank you! Checks are made out to Ware Jr Sr High school with ski and snowboard club in the memo. You guys are so awesome! We can take equipment to but need mostly snowboards for kids between 5'4 and 5'10 and boots from size 7 to 11 for both boys and girls. With donations like that though...I sell them to the kids for $1 and give them a reciept... that way they own them. The $1 goes to the treasury and off the cost of the bus. I have no way to pick stuff up, unless it is in the general area...Springfield, Fitchburg, Worcester vacinity. Oh, and storage can be a problem. Equipment I know I need: I do need a pair of size 10 1/2 snowboard boots and a board for a boy that is 5'10" and a set of skis and ski boots in the same sizes for his twin. Another boy is 5'4" and needs skis and a size 8 1/2 boot. I also have a little girl that needs equipment. I believe she is going to ski. She is 5'2" and has a size 8 foot. __________ Born to ski...forced to work!http://teachski.com

trackbiker Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Nov 26, 2004 Posts: 1648 Location:Eastern PA	Posted: Nov 15, 2009 - 4:12 AM GMT Laurie, Great job! Ok everyone else, here's our chance to introduce some kids to snow sports who otherwise might not have the opportunity. $198.00 for 8 trips including rentals and lessons is a deal. Less than I paid for my kids for 6 trips and they had their own skis. I realize that everyone may not be able to contribute, but with lift tickets in the $80.00 range, anyone able to pay those prices should be able to contribute something. I'm sure the response will be great! Please keep us updated.

skierpilot Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Apr 01, 2006 Posts: 632 Location:	Posted: Nov 15, 2009 - 9:42 PM GMT Laurie Great job! How about eveybody digging real deep into their pockets! Even if it's only $10.00 or $20.00, it can add up if we all give something. There is nothing more sad than seeing kids sitting home when many of their school piers are out doing various activities. Helping kids out like this can really make a difference in their lives.What a great chance here to get some kids into the great sport of skiing. I was lucky that my parents could help me with this. As a result, I have had a great lifelong sport to enjoy.

LaurieP Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Jan 04, 2002 Posts: 2160 Location:	Posted: Nov 16, 2009 - 8:47 PM GMT Thank you so much! Everyone has been so nice about this. So far I have 3 people who have told me they are contributing. This will help a lot. __________ Born to ski...forced to work!http://teachski.com

LaurieP Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Jan 04, 2002 Posts: 2160 Location:	Posted: Nov 18, 2009 - 10:34 PM GMT Shamelessly sending this post to the top again. __________ Born to ski...forced to work!http://teachski.com

diamonddave Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Jan 03, 2009 Posts: 76 Location:Brooklyn, NY	Posted: Nov 19, 2009 - 3:28 AM GMT I'm in. I'm bartending right now but will take a look at this tomorrow and see what I can give.. Good luck

trackbiker Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Nov 26, 2004 Posts: 1648 Location:Eastern PA	Posted: Nov 19, 2009 - 4:25 AM GMT I'm surprised and embarrassed that the response has been so low. I know that times are tough for some, and we get bombarded by requests for donations all the time, but out of 342 views to date, from people who pay up to $80.00 for lift tickets, I would have thought the response would have been more than 3! This being a community of ski enthusiasts you would think that people would have been more enthusiastic to help a fellow SJ'er introduce some less fortunate kids to a sport we all love, who otherwise wouldn't have a chance. The "Respect for Parents" thread was a nice thread. It's nice to read all of the stories of how people were introduced to the sport. I'm sure some of the kids Laurie is trying to help come from single parent homes, or for whatever reason, their parents can't afford to pay for the club fees. Thankfully, one way or the other, we all had the opportunity. Maybe you can make a donation in the name of the person who introduced you to snowsports to "Pay it on down the line." A busy kid is a happy kid and a kid who isn't getting into trouble.

johnskiismore Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Aug 29, 2003 Posts: 920 Location:North Woodstock, NH	Posted: Nov 19, 2009 - 4:45 AM GMT Laurie I think this great what you are doing! To those who are donating, awesome! If it was any other year I would gladly donate, but this year it is impossible for me. Made the plunge and built a house, that and all of the other expenses that go along with it! I just can't spare the money, BUT if you do this next year, I'll sponsor two students. Write that down, two students if the price holds about the same! Good luck! __________ Screw My Car, My Body Climbed Mount Washington!

LaurieP Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Jan 04, 2002 Posts: 2160 Location:	Posted: Nov 23, 2009 - 10:33 PM GMT Thanks to the three generous people who contributed money to our ski and snowboard scholarship fund another student that might not have been able to participate in the learn to ski program our club does at Wachusett Mountain will be able to. Thanks skierpilot, trackbiker and MissDaEast! D.D. is quite thankful to you for your contribution! __________ Born to ski...forced to work!http://teachski.com

LaurieP Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Jan 04, 2002 Posts: 2160 Location:	Posted: Dec 04, 2009 - 12:26 AM GMT Edited: Dec 04, 2009 - 12:30 AM GMT Many thanks to Woody Bosquet and playoutside for their generous contributions and special thanks to playoutside for connecting me with Nancy & Ron Lourens and the Connor Lourens Memorial Fund which made a VERY generous contribution to the scholarship fund. I now have 6 students that are completely funded and several more that are partially funded (lift tickets and bus for the program as they participated last year with scholarships and have equipment) through your generosity. Also thanks to trackbiker for his additional contribution of a pair of ski pants...they fit one young man as if they were made for him and he is very excited and thankful. The kids really appreciate your generosity. Ten lucky students will get to hit the slopes this year and we have the start of our scholarship fund for next year. Unfortunately, the bus is full for this year and we don't have enough students for a second bus. Thank you! I love you all! Laurie Please read post immediately above this post for other generous contributors. __________ Born to ski...forced to work!http://teachski.com

skierpilot Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Apr 01, 2006 Posts: 632 Location:	Posted: Dec 04, 2009 - 1:27 AM GMT I am so happy that you are doing well with this. It sounds like you are all set with equipment? How about clothes, socks, jackets, ect. I have a real nice pair of mens bibs that seemed to get a little smaller somehow -men's large. I also have alot of other odds and ends that are in good shape. I could UPS a skiers care package to the club.

diamonddave Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Jan 03, 2009 Posts: 76 Location:Brooklyn, NY	Posted: Dec 04, 2009 - 6:04 PM GMT I had pledged to help and then a couple days later when I looked for your post to get all the info, I couldn't find it for some reason. Anyways, I'd still like to help but I know your cut off was 12/1. do you still need funds?

LaurieP Profile \| Galleries Rank: Member Since: Jan 04, 2002 Posts: 2160 Location:	Posted: Dec 04, 2009 - 11:40 PM GMT Yes, we still clothing and other things for the students. Used clothing is GREAT! For those we do not get clothing for we will take a trip to WalMart and get them snowpants (not terrible, better than none), and the thinsulate gloves. Anything left over (if there is any) is put into the fund for the start of next year and we begin fundraising again. You guys are great! Tomorrow we are running a Babysitting service at a Craft Fair that is being held at the school. We are charging $4.00 per hour and have make and take crafts for the children we take care of with supplies that were donated. We also have a jewelry table (beading supplies donated by me) that the kid made afterschool and are selling. This is at the Ware High School from 9 to 3pm. __________ Born to ski...forced to work!http://teachski.com

Page: 1