We did it! Thanks to you, our community and everyone who donated!
Last fall, we set out a pretty ambitious goal of raising $30,000 through two new fundraising campaigns: The GMAS CommUNITY Challenge, and the GivingTuesday Campaign. Facing a budget deficit following anticipated rapid growth and demand for our programs after Covid, we made the decision to reach out and ask for financial support from the community, something that we have done very little over the years.
We achieved our goal, and this is how we did it, thanks to YOU!
Last fall, we applied, and received a grant from the Community Navigator Pilot Program (CNPP). With money from the grant, we were able to purchase the Give WP fundraising software which VT Web Marketing installed. Within a few weeks, we had access to new fundraising tools such as recurring donations, peer-to-peer fundraising, and a donor management system.
From that effort, the GMAS CommUNITY Challenge fundraiser was born. The goal was to raise $20,000 via individuals, and teams setting their own fundraising goals. Seven teams participated, including five GMAS athletes, and two local businesses that created their own fundraisers. Additionally, five other fundraisers set out to raise funds through family and friends.
Innovative Fundraising
RIDE by JoMotion, an indoor cycling studio in Stowe hosted a fundraiser ride in their studio on November 6th. Over 60 riders donated to join teams of four, and alternated riding for three hours led by energetic instructors and the music and light effects from a live DJ. Through this fun community event, the RIDE team raised an impressive $2,155! It was great to introduce so many people to GMAS, and many also got to spin their legs and get a great sweat at RIDE for the first time.
Summit Physical Therapy also chipped in, raising nearly $1,000, asking for donations from patients, and then doubling the take. Thank you for being so innovative and generous!
Laura Vilalta was by far the largest fundraiser, raising over $5,000 for GMAS. Laura used her 60th birthday as a perfect occasion to raise awareness and money for Green Mountain Adaptive Sports. When inviting well over 130 close friends to attend her birthday party at the Matterhorn, Laura asked invitees to make a donation to GMAS. Close to 60 people donated from her fundraiser, which she then matched through her business, Black Cap Coffee and Bakery.
Stowe Cider
also recently hosted their Annual Winter Solstice Party at the Matterhorn and chose GMAS as the beneficiary of this fun event. The brewery reached out to local and area businesses to collect donated prizes to add to a huge raffle and party. Sincere thanks to Stowe Cider, and to everyone who purchased tickets, close to $5,000 was raised that night, enough to seal the deal for GMAS! Read more about this event and all the generous businesses who donated prizes for the raffle here.
Giving Tuesday Campaign a huge success
Finally, local businesses also contributed to this fundraising effort through the Giving Tuesday campaign. This year, for the International Day of Giving, two dozen local and area businesses generously donated a percentage of their sales for a day, or more, or made a flat donation. Others donated a prize for the raffle which took place at our Annual Fundraiser Party at Sushi Yoshi on November 29th. Thanks to all who visited the businesses to eat, and shop, and support those who support GMAS! Here is how everyone faired.
Raised $5,000 or over
Black Cap Coffee and Bakery
Raised $1,000 or over
Brenna B Interiors
Pinnacle Ski and Sports
Piecasso
PK Coffee
Stowe Maple Products
Sushi Yoshi
Raised $500 or over
Harrison’s Restaurant
Maloja
Stowe Seafood
Trapp Family Lodge
Raised $250 or over
Bear Pond Books
Commodities
Chalet Life
Green Envy
Idletyme
Après Cocktail + Wine
Mountain Ops
Stowe Sandwich
Stowe Bowl
Stowe Living
Woodland Bakery
X-Press
Our sponsors
And finally, many thanks to this year’s sponsors: Black Cap Coffee and Bakery, Lamoille Valley Ford, Lamoille Valley Chevrolet, The UPS Store, and Sisler Builders. There is still time to become a sponsor and get valuable year-long visibility through GMAS.
THANK YOU!
We wish to thank everyone involved in these crucial fundraisers that will enable GMAS to support more athletes, in more sports than ever before. We are excited to see our programs grow as we serve more and more people with disabilities, and train more and more coaches to instruct our population. We are equally as excited to see the support that our community is offering to facilitate that growth, helping us fill the need for more access to adaptive sports in our area.
We hope that we will be able to count on your support again next year. Until then, we hope to see you on the slopes and at one of our upcoming events, including the Adaptive Nordic Ski Open House at Craftsbury, and our famous 11th Annual Monoski Day at Stowe. You can sign up to help for both of those great events by filling out the online form.
Don’t hesitate to reach us with questions about the programs or events. There is still time to donate if you would also like to support GMAS.
Enjoy our latest video from Will Casela at Eighty 8 Creative.