The past two months were busy ones for the folks involved in the Vancouver Island Society for Adaptive Snowsports (VISAS).
Over and above running its regular adaptive snowsports activities, VISAS hosted the Herb Bradley Pepsi Challenge (HBPC), its annual fundraiser that included 26 teams participating in a fun relay race on the slopes of Mountain Washington. “We raised close to $13,000 this year,” said co-organizer Brian Gorman of the Feb. 10 event.
“These funds go directly towards buying new adaptive equipment and organizing our annual Winter Sports Festival for people with physical and mental challenges. We greatly appreciate the support of Peter Gibson and his team at Mountain Washington, and Pepsi Canada for sponsoring this event, and to all those who donated and participated.”
Each year at the HBPC, the coveted Herb Bradley Trophy is given to a VISAS student who most embodies the spirit of VISAS founder, the late Herb Bradley. This year’s recipient was Jonah Mayer of Courtenay.
“We were also very pleased to work with WestJet in raising funds through a raffle for two tickets anywhere WestJet flies,” added Gorman. “This year’s raffle winner was Lee Pendergast of Campbell River.”
The generous support of the Vancouver Island community and VISAS’s dedicated group of volunteer adaptive snowsports allows hundreds of individuals with physical and mental disabilities the chance to experience the thrill of downhill and cross country skiing, and snowboarding.
For more information on VISAS’s programs, including a list of 2012-2013 community supporters and links to the latest videos on adaptive snowsports produced by local documentary maker Ed Homer, visit www.visasweb.ca and follow us on Facebook.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer adaptive snowsports instructor for 2013-2014 season e-mail us your interest, and watch for the media notice with details on the introductory meeting next October.
– Vancouver Island Society for Adaptive Snowsports