Thanks to the incredible support of all who donated, Green Mountain Adaptive Sports raised $42,494.58 at the 2024 edition of the Heady Trotter 4-miler race this past October 20th.
It took a little while to tabulate all of the donations coming from the many campaigns ran simultaneously. They added up to $22,494.58, an amount large enough to unlock a promised $20,000 donation match from the Vermont Community Foundation.
The GMAS team heaved a huge sigh of relief once they realized they had reached, and even surpassed the $20,000 goal, and unlocked the donation match.
This is by far the largest amount that was ever raised at the Heady Trotter 4-miler, and also the largest amount ever raised in a single fundraiser to benefit Green Mountain Adaptive Sports.
“We are so grateful to everyone who donated money through their race entries and through the purchase of raffle tickets to win a fire pit. Money was also raised through the sales of delicious Cheesy Toppers grilled cheese sandwiches, and GMAS merchandise,” commented Maryanne Lewis, a member of the GMAS Board of Directors and volunteer at the event. “It was a very big team effort, and with this community’s support, we are so grateful to have reached the fundraising goal!”
Upon hearing of the news that the fundraising goal had been reached, Dawn Archambault-Perry, our partner at VCF who worked with us on the grant match exclaimed, “That’s so amazing! Truly, your organization is such an inspiration and your dedication as volunteers was such a beautiful thing to observe. Amazing collaboration! We are honored to be a part of it.”
So thankful
GMAS wishes to extend a gigantic thank you to everyone who was a part of this event, especially the Vermont Community Foundation for the support, and also to the team at Vermont Farmstead Cheese Company who, through the sale of their delicious Cheesy Topper grilled cheese sandwiches raised $2,500 over the course of 2.5 days.
Online donations and donations through race organizers The Great American Brewery Runs, raised an impressive $16,356.00, some from donors who did not even participate in the event.
“We have worked very hard to reach this goal which seemed almost unattainable at first,” explained Pascale Savard, also a member of the GMAS Board of Directors.
She then adds, “The support and generosity from the 1926 runners, the race organizers, the Alchemist Brewery, friends and family, volunteers, and the community at large has been incredible and helped us attain our goal. We are so thankful and so proud to have unlocked the donation match which will go to fund athletes scholarships, pay for coaches trainings, and used to start new adaptive sport programs.”
Green Mountain Adaptive Sports is 100% volunteer run, and there is no question that everyone involved with GMAS is 100% dedicated to the cause. The GMAS team also wishes to recognize all of the volunteers who helped at the race to distribute bibs, act as course marshals, sell raffle tickets, tend the GMAS tent, distribute food and water to the racers, donating their time and energy through kindness, generosity and dedication.
GMAS Athletes Push to the Finish Line
We also want to recognize a few adaptive athletes of the GMAS family! Jack Clark, who ran with Molly Lauridsen broke all of their past records crossing the finish line in a blazing 35 minutes. Jackson Greenleaf who participated in the event for the second time, pushed his hand pedals with all his might with friends and family. Joe Zuccarello who participated in the event for the first time may have found a new favorite sport to add to his repertoire. “Things went great and I think Joe has a new love! Thank you so much for making this happen. We are so blessed by GMAS!” wrote his wife Stephanie Zuccarello. Bravo guys, you are all rock stars and it was so nice to see you push through the pain and cross that finish line with a great big smile. Beer well earned! We hope to see you all back next year.
The fundraising finish line is Near
There is still a fair amount of fundraising to be done before the end of the year to raise the funds needed to maintain our adaptive sport programs, but this generous donation sure helps ease some of the stress around meeting budgets for the upcoming season. We hope that we can count on a little more community support in the upcoming months leading to Giving Tuesday on December 3. You can make a year-end donation today.
If you are interested in helping your community, there are many ways to get involved with the Vermont Community Foundation. Their experts are there to listen, and to offer advice on the various ways of giving. Read more here.
Next year’s event is slated fro Sunday, October 19, 2025.