TEAM GMAS Raises over $6,000 for the Kelly Brush Foundation

 

This group of five “Stowe Dads” raised over $6,000 for the Kelly Brush Foundation whose mission is to inspire and empower people with spinal cord injuries to lead active and engaged lives, which is undoubtedly in line with the GMAS’s mission to improve the quality of life for Vermonters with disabilities by creating access to inclusive sports and recreational activities.

 

“We are all here to help adaptive athletes,” noted John Chudzik, “and it feels great to be able to raise funds for the Kelly Brush Foundation, an amazing organization and a great partner of GMAS.”

 

The team embarked on the 100-mile road ride under dark grey skies and temperatures in the mid-60s. “We did get sprinkled on right at the start, but that didn’t last long,” commented Chudzik. “So, for the first 40 miles, we had ideal conditions, with low temperatures and no sun to bake us. However, things then took a turn. It started to rain. For the next four hours, we endured dropping temperatures and constant rain. A few of us were unprepared for this from a clothing standpoint and ended the ride very cold. That said, all but one of us made it.” 

 

 

At one point one of the GMAS team members slid and fell at a railroad crossing. While the rest of the GMAS riders were very concerned that he might have been seriously injured, the team was fortunate to have an EMT on the team. Luckily, the rider was just bumped and bruised. “He was unable to finish the ride, but he got a nice warm ride back to the finish and was there in good spirits to cheer on the rest of us as we finished,” added Chudzik.

 

The team is excited to have finished the event and to have helped the Kelly Brush Foundation raise over $1.2MM from it alone. The GMAS team also hopes to have raised awareness for our little local non-profit, which is dedicated to serving local and area Vermonters living with a disability.