WESTBROOK — Skiers and snowboarders raised $562,000 at the Downhill 24 for the Maine nonprofit that helps kids to get outside and active more often in the winter.
The 8th annual event marked the largest revenue in the event’s history. The organization chose to support the local kids in Franklin and Somerset counties by giving $25,000 to the Sugarloaf Ski Club’s King’s Kids Fund. The fund allows local kids to train in Sugarloaf’s weekend ski and ride programs.
“We are so appreciative of WinterKids’ gift and certainly did not expect a gift of this size,” said Sugarloaf Ski Club President Ginny Bousum. The donation will allow kids who would not otherwise have the opportunity to learn to ski and ride at Maine’s biggest mountain in a season-long lesson and training program.
The Downhill 24 is a team ski and snowboard challenge and fundraiser to benefit WinterKids. It is the only annual event that brings night skiing to Sugarloaf. WinterKids sets up lights along the course for a fun-filled, round-the-clock, family friendly event. Participants raise money to support WinterKids to help children develop healthy lifelong habits through education and fun, outdoor winter activity.
This year’s event raised a record $562,000 from more than 4,000 donors, 49 teams and 491 participants. Participants of the WinterKids Downhill 24 get their own unique fundraising web page, and prizes are awarded for those who raise the most money for WinterKids.
“We are thrilled that the success of this event allows us to directly impact kids and families in Sugarloaf’s surrounding communities, ” said Julie Mulkern, executive director. “In addition to these funds, we distribute over $25,000 in cash and prizes to our participating Winter Games schools in all 16 counties statewide,” added Mulkern. “It is heartwarming and validating to visit schools and see firsthand the positive impact our organization is having on kids and their health.”
In past years, four elementary schools in Carrabassett Valley (Kingfield, Stratton, Strong, Phillips) were the secondary beneficiary in 2019. The Sugarloaf Regional Charitable Trust was the secondary beneficiary of the WinterKids Downhill 24 in 2017 and 2018. WinterKids has helped more than 100,000 Maine children to be active outdoors in the winter through unique programs statewide.
In addition to in-school outreach with the WinterKids Winter Games, the new WinterKids App provides Maine and New Hampshire families with affordable access to winter activities. WinterKids was also the 2018 beneficiary of the TD Beach to Beacon Road Race, a 2019 beneficiary of the Maine Marathon, and the 2020 beneficiary of Carnaval ME. Learn more at www.winterkids.org.
