My Ski for All Fundraising Page
Jennifer Eichhorn
Jennifer Eichhorn
Dear friends,
As you know, I am actively involved with Oregon Adaptive Sports (OAS) as a volunteer (4 years) and Board member (1 1/2 years). OAS is a premier adaptive sports organization based in Bend, Oregon, whose goal is to provide every person with a disability access to the benefits of outdoor recreation.
OAS' winter fundraiser on March 16 at Mt. Bachelor, Ski For All, is an opportunity for everyone - athletes, families, friends, and supporters - to share their love of skiing and being outdoors on the mountain (and raise money). I have seen the value and benefit of OAS' work and invite you to join me in supporting the Ski For All fundraiser. Bryan and I will match every donation from all of you, which will support, among other things, scholarships for athletes' participation and purchases of state-of-the-art adaptive sports equipment.
OAS provides assistance to athletes with highly-trained staff and volunteers and adaptive equipment as needed, including sit skis (for alpine and nordic skiing), bi-skis, mono-skis, adaptive hand-crank off-road bikes, and other adaptive mountain and road bikes. OAS athletes, age 4-94, may have experienced challenges since birth, developed conditions later in life, or had unfortunate accidents or experiences that change how they play outside.
Last winter (2022-2023), OAS provided about 1,000 experiences for athletes to go alpine skiing, nordic skiing, and snowshoeing at three ski resorts in Oregon (Mt. Bachelor, Mt. Hoodoo, and Mt. Ashland); this is a 28% increase in opportunities over the prior year. Notwithstanding a slow start for desirable winter weather conditions, OAS is on track for similar growth in participation this year. OAS winter programs include individual ski lessons; free "community" days for athletes and family members for nordic skiing; and special multi-day events geared to specific athletes, including skiing and mountain biking for individuals with spinal cord injuries and skiing for young adults who are Deaf.
OAS' summer programs primarily focus on hiking, road cycling, and mountain biking in and around Bend. This past summer OAS experienced a similar increase in athlete participation over last year and provided over 700 experiences for athletes. As with winter programs, there are free "community" days for athletes to ride adaptive bikes at a local Bend park, private lessons for mountain biking, multi-day mountain bike "crank camps," and free hikes with guides at parks in and around Bend.
A favorite experience of mine last winter was helping a group of 8-year-old triplets and their parents learn how to cross-country ski. One brother who has a disability and used a sit-ski was powering himself downhill ahead of his two sisters (without disabilities) and parents who were learning the basic skills. The family was able to share this experience together for free because of OAS' weekly "community" days. Moreover, OAS programming can impact athletes beyond the specific activity. These experiences not only give athletes an opportunity to play, but also gain confidence that extends beyond any sport. An athlete that used to say "I can't" to every activity now says "I can."
OAS prides itself on providing not only high-quality, individualized experiences with respect for the athlete and joy, but also ensuring access to families by charging only a small fraction of its actual costs, if any fee at all. Through a sponsorship, OAS gives a new athlete the first three, individual lessons (ski or mountain biking) absolutely free. The direct costs for OAS for a private, half-day ski lesson is over $200. While OAS charges athletes $80 for a half-day lesson, with the benefit of additional financial assistance, athletes (and families) paid on average $28 per half-day ski lesson. Last year, OAS provided over $327,000 in financial assistance so athletes could participate in ski lessons and other programs. OAS (with one other organization) has the lowest, private, half-day ski lesson fees of all western state adaptive sports programs; similar half-day programs elsewhere charge up to $225.
Ultimately it is support from our community - near and far - that continues to enable OAS to break down barriers for individuals with a disability. Every contribution of any amount adds up and helps provide an opportunity for an athlete to enjoy and engage actively with the great outdoors. I know everyone has their organizations of choice to support. I would be honored if you choose to include OAS.
Cheers, -Jen
As you know, I am actively involved with Oregon Adaptive Sports (OAS) as a volunteer (4 years) and Board member (1 1/2 years). OAS is a premier adaptive sports organization based in Bend, Oregon, whose goal is to provide every person with a disability access to the benefits of outdoor recreation.
OAS' winter fundraiser on March 16 at Mt. Bachelor, Ski For All, is an opportunity for everyone - athletes, families, friends, and supporters - to share their love of skiing and being outdoors on the mountain (and raise money). I have seen the value and benefit of OAS' work and invite you to join me in supporting the Ski For All fundraiser. Bryan and I will match every donation from all of you, which will support, among other things, scholarships for athletes' participation and purchases of state-of-the-art adaptive sports equipment.
OAS provides assistance to athletes with highly-trained staff and volunteers and adaptive equipment as needed, including sit skis (for alpine and nordic skiing), bi-skis, mono-skis, adaptive hand-crank off-road bikes, and other adaptive mountain and road bikes. OAS athletes, age 4-94, may have experienced challenges since birth, developed conditions later in life, or had unfortunate accidents or experiences that change how they play outside.
Last winter (2022-2023), OAS provided about 1,000 experiences for athletes to go alpine skiing, nordic skiing, and snowshoeing at three ski resorts in Oregon (Mt. Bachelor, Mt. Hoodoo, and Mt. Ashland); this is a 28% increase in opportunities over the prior year. Notwithstanding a slow start for desirable winter weather conditions, OAS is on track for similar growth in participation this year. OAS winter programs include individual ski lessons; free "community" days for athletes and family members for nordic skiing; and special multi-day events geared to specific athletes, including skiing and mountain biking for individuals with spinal cord injuries and skiing for young adults who are Deaf.
OAS' summer programs primarily focus on hiking, road cycling, and mountain biking in and around Bend. This past summer OAS experienced a similar increase in athlete participation over last year and provided over 700 experiences for athletes. As with winter programs, there are free "community" days for athletes to ride adaptive bikes at a local Bend park, private lessons for mountain biking, multi-day mountain bike "crank camps," and free hikes with guides at parks in and around Bend.
A favorite experience of mine last winter was helping a group of 8-year-old triplets and their parents learn how to cross-country ski. One brother who has a disability and used a sit-ski was powering himself downhill ahead of his two sisters (without disabilities) and parents who were learning the basic skills. The family was able to share this experience together for free because of OAS' weekly "community" days. Moreover, OAS programming can impact athletes beyond the specific activity. These experiences not only give athletes an opportunity to play, but also gain confidence that extends beyond any sport. An athlete that used to say "I can't" to every activity now says "I can."
OAS prides itself on providing not only high-quality, individualized experiences with respect for the athlete and joy, but also ensuring access to families by charging only a small fraction of its actual costs, if any fee at all. Through a sponsorship, OAS gives a new athlete the first three, individual lessons (ski or mountain biking) absolutely free. The direct costs for OAS for a private, half-day ski lesson is over $200. While OAS charges athletes $80 for a half-day lesson, with the benefit of additional financial assistance, athletes (and families) paid on average $28 per half-day ski lesson. Last year, OAS provided over $327,000 in financial assistance so athletes could participate in ski lessons and other programs. OAS (with one other organization) has the lowest, private, half-day ski lesson fees of all western state adaptive sports programs; similar half-day programs elsewhere charge up to $225.
Ultimately it is support from our community - near and far - that continues to enable OAS to break down barriers for individuals with a disability. Every contribution of any amount adds up and helps provide an opportunity for an athlete to enjoy and engage actively with the great outdoors. I know everyone has their organizations of choice to support. I would be honored if you choose to include OAS.
Cheers, -Jen
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