Donations through the Heady Trotter 4 miler race have raised significant funds for Green Mountain Adaptive Sports (GMAS) in the past, and this year, with a $20,000 donation match from The Vermont Community Fund (VCF), each donation matters more than ever!

Thanks to the generous contributions from families and individuals through their VCF giving accounts, The Vermont Community Foundation is doubling the impact of your support. Every dollar raised through this year’s Heady Trotter race for Green Mountain Adaptive Sports will be matched up to $20,000. We thank you, and appreciate your participation in this important campaign. Let’s make this the biggest year ever!

Alchemist co-owner John Kimmich and Rick Woods of VT Farmstead Cheese Company.

Alchemist co-owner John Kimmich and Rick Woods of VT Farmstead Cheese Company.

“We’re thrilled to offer a $20,000 gift match contribution to Green Mountain Adaptive Sports as they seek to generate support through Stowe’s annual Heady Trotter race. GMAS helps individuals with disabilities enjoy adaptive sports, fostering physical health and community bonds. In Vermont, where outdoor activities are a cherished part of life, it’s essential to make these experiences accessible to everyone. Join us in supporting Vermont families and help Green Mountain Adaptive Sports create inclusive opportunities for all.”– Dan Smith, President & CEO, The Vermont Community Foundation.

 

Donate to help create opportunities for all

GMAS has been the charity partner at the Heady Trotter 4 miler race for 6 years already, raising between $10,000 and $18,000 annually to support adaptive athlete scholarships and help create a world where sports and recreation are available for people of all abilities. The hope this year is to raise $25,000 from donations at the event, for a grand total of $45,000. Everyone can donate using this link.

Cynthia Needham with race organizers Jon and Carl Ewald.

Cynthia Needham with race organizers Jon and Carl Ewald.

“We are grateful to The Vermont Community Foundation for their generous gift match to support our fundraising at the annual Heady Trotter race. The money that we raise will help us sustain our efforts to expand access to sports and recreation for Vermont residents with disabilities. Over the past year, we have assisted two new partner organizations in establishing adaptive programs and extended additional coach’s training in rock climbing and swimming. We have also increased the number of scholarships awarded to adaptive athletes, including supporting the Special Olympics ski and ride team at Smuggler’s Notch. Even though we are a small organization with no paid staff, we are proud that we are having a positive impact on the members of the communities we serve.” – Cynthia Needham, President of the Board of Directors, Green Mountain Adaptive Sports.

 

More About the Heady Trotter

Jackson and friends race at the Heady Trotter in 2022.

The race is open to people of all abilities.

The Heady Trotter 4 miler race is on Sunday, October 20th, 2024, 10am. Organizers expect a full field, 2,000 runners of all ages and abilities. Enjoy the fun beer run around the Alchemist Brewery in Stowe, as well as great swag, a free beer, live music, games, food trucks and more! Register before the event sells out, and the price goes up.

GMAS is putting a team of adaptive athletes together and welcome participants. Find more information on our event webpage. If you prefer not to race, we also need a lot of volunteers to act as course marshals, to sell raffle tickets and hand out bibs and drinks to the racers. Whether you run or not, you can also donate here, and purchase tickets to win a unique fire pit here. Thanks for the support, we hope to see you at the event!

 

 

About The Vermont Community Foundation

Vermont Community Foundation new logoThe VCF was founded in 1986 to help Vermonters create permanent charitable funds to keep Vermont strong and vital as it meets the challenges of the future. Together, we are a family of over 1,000 funds and foundations. Today, our funds and programs provide more than $60 million a year in grants in Vermont and beyond. Find out more. https://www.vermontcf.org/

 

About Green Mountain Adaptive Sports

The GMAS Team rounds up volunteers to help throughout the weekend.

The GMAS Team rounds up volunteers to help throughout the weekend.

Green Mountain Adaptive Sports’ mission is to improve the quality of life for Vermonters with disabilities by creating access to inclusive sports and recreational activities. We partner with organizations to enhance and deliver quality experiences to this community. As an Inclusion Champion, Green Mountain Adaptive Sports (GMAS) is committed to helping build a world where everybody gets to play.

Read the full mission and vision here. You can also enjoy our 2023 Impact Report here.