I Heart Camp Trailer by Libby Falck

One Step is a group that comes to the National Ability Center each winter to enjoy the skiing and snowboarding opportunities in adaptive recreation. Each One Step camper is an individual who has gone through or is currently going through cancer treatments. This was an amazing group of campers and counselors to work with at the National Ability Center in Park City, UT.

Libby Falck worked as an AmeriCorps volunteer last year. She is also a cancer survivor and is currently working on a documentary film about these amazing individuals. Check out the link to the trailer. These individuals have been able to make an impact on many lives and it was a pleasure working with them this past winter.

The name of the video is listed below.

I Heart Camp Trailer

www.youtube.com

Contribute to this project at http://www.indiegogo.com/IHeartCamp Share your story by emailing LibbyFalck@gmail.com Visit our website at www.iheartcamp.weebl...

National Volunteer Week

This year the National Ability Center will be joining many programs nationwide to celebrate National Volunteer Week which is happening this week, April 10th – 16th! National Volunteer Week is a time to reflect on the power of individuals taking action in one way or another and to recognize these individuals and their collaborative efforts in helping make a positive impact in their community. Here at the National Ability Center we have many individuals who fit perfectly within this description, and in honor of this celebration, we will be sharing stories over the next 5 weeks of outstanding volunteers who have generously donated their time and energy in support of our mission.

What these along with many other individuals bring to the National Ability Center is invaluable and with that I would like to say thank-you. Thank you for the respect, dedication, and enthusiasm you share with our participants and for lending a hand wherever needed. Volunteers are involved in every aspect of our organization from assisting on lessons to taking photographs during programs and helping plan fundraisers throughout the year. We are very lucky to have such amazing individuals willing to set aside time out of their day to help make what we do possible. As an AmeriCorps I am very lucky and thankful to have the opportunity to work alongside these individuals and serve as a full-time volunteer at this organization. So on that note I would like to introduce our first volunteer spotlight, Kim Mann, who is involved with our Ski/Snowboard Program.

If you or someone you know would like additional information regarding volunteer opportunities or ways you can get involved with the National Ability Center, please email laurae@discovernac.org.

Happy National Volunteer Week, cheers!

Laura Erickson
AmeriCorps, Volunteer Coordinator

Volunteer Spotlight

Kim Mann’s vacation to Park City, UT is more than just an escape to the mountainous terrain and scenic vistas of the West. As an ex-ski patroller and practicing nurse in Chicago, it is a chance for her to put her professional knowledge and love of skiing to good use. Like many Park City skiers, her involvement with the NAC started after noticing one of our adaptive skiers out enjoying the same sport she was— just with different equipment. This combined with the desire to do something meaningful with her time while in Park City led her to become a volunteer. That first season Kim was only around for 2 weeks, but instantly became part of the NAC family. Five years later, she now returns for over 2 months. As if this were not enough indication of her dedication to our Ski Program, Kim consistently goes the extra mile by doing everything from assisting on any lesson we throw her way to attending advanced volunteer training clinics and filling the NAC Ski Center freezer with Hot Pockets and other goodies to keep the staff happy and well-fed. Her support of our mission and passion for working with the participants (especially those in Special Olympics) is undeniable. She treats everyone she encounters with the utmost respect, and her naturally energetic and hands-on approach to lessons makes her a valuable asset to our program

*Make sure to keep an eye out in the following weeks for stories from these outstanding volunteers-- Henny Muldowney, Tyler Israel, Nicole Carollo, and Amber Ohl.

NAC ski team in Alaska

The NAC Ability Ski Team recently returned from the USA Paralympic National Championships in Alyeska, Alaska. Racing in Alaska was a unique experience. Because of the radically different pattern of daylight, the lifts do not even open until 10:30 am and the snow does not begin to soften until after noon. Regardless, the race day still began at 9 am with ski prep and course-setting work to be done. Following the completion of course inspection, race runs typically did not start until 12 noon, with second run beginning at 2 pm or later. This made for some long and tiring days. Despite fog, snow, rain, and high winds during the first few days of the championships, all events were completed and we did get to see the sun and blue sky on the final 2 days. The order of events was Downhill, Super Giant Slalom, Super Combined (SG + SL in one day), Giant Slalom and Slalom.

Two shots of Alaska and the wilderness, mountains and sunshine.

Erik ("e-bay") Bayindirli of Turkey - Bronze in Super Combined, Giant Slalom, and Slalom

Arly ("chihuahua") Velasquez of Mexico - career best 4th and 5th place finishes in Downhill, Giant Slalom and Slalom

Teague ("tigger") Cowley of the USA - displaying his great Slalom skills until a spectacular crash took him out of the hunt for his second podium of the season
Tom ("shvedjik") Szwedo of Poland - gaining a lot of attention at his first US Nationals with two top 10 finishes.

Erik is pictured on the far right.

Red, White & SnOH My Goodness!

Dear NAC Friends,

Oh my goodness! How do I begin to say thank you to all of you!? When I hit my pillow late Saturday night I felt like we had just won the Super Bowl, a Grammy, and the James Beard Award all in one weekend!

Red, White & Snow began with the Library Tasting at St. Regis Deer Valley. Volunteers were in place early, the room was warm, inviting and a perfect kick-off to a fantastic weekend! The event staff and chef at St. Regis went beyond the call of duty with the food and presentation. We were all touched by the personal commitment to the National Ability Center from each vintner as they arrived in Park City. Parallel Napa Valley hosted a wonderful welcome dinner for our vintners at the home of Bob Franco in Deer Crest following the Library Tasting. Many thanks to all for the gracious hospitality.

Friday morning began with a great start as vintners joined us at Deer Valley to ski with our local Paralympic and Olympic "Legends", NAC participants and volunteers in typical Utah sun and snow. Skiing was followed by beautiful wine and food pairing for an unbeatable lunch at the St. Regis’ Astor Terrace. Chef Chip McMullin from the St. Regis went above-and-beyond with outdoor grills and action stations. Everyone enjoyed the sun, new friends and outstanding vino! Many thanks to our set up and break down volunteers and efforts by the fabulous behind the scene team of Kristi and Ric!

Friday night, private dinners were held in 17 different homes around Park City. Chefs and vintners planned menus and pairings for weeks. Our dinner hosts worked tirelessly preparing their homes for an exciting night of excellent food and wine. Dinner coordinators Rachel & Rob Alday and Hilary Reiter worked for months coordinating each home, chef and vintner. Many thanks to all of you who worked so hard to make each dinner a memory for those who attended and to those who reminded us throughout the night of the mission we were all gathered to support. The Gala Saturday night sold out two weeks prior to the event, which was a positive foreshadowing of things to come the night of the gala. The night started off with an amazing silent auction. Amy Tisovec and Grace Gorton lead our silent auction and pushed unrelentingly on the entire committee to collect quality items. The Silent Auction brought in record numbers thanks to their efforts!

The Race for the Cause theme created an energy throughout the night that began with Paralympian, Chris Waddell, and was carried by the Fighter Jet Top Gun lot, followed by an outstanding and heartfelt presentation by the Barber Family-and specifically young Sarah Barber. Sarah won the hearts of every person in the room and showcased in-person the NAC mission in action. Many thanks to the Barber Family for their participation and passionate support!

Click on the photo to see Sarah's story

Following the Barber presentation, the floor was opened up for the Sponsor-a-Child portion of our auction. Auctioneer David Reynolds could not shout out the paddle numbers fast enough. I have never seen generosity, compassion and love flow as freely as I did at that moment. The NAC has so many needs, so many programs that need our support, and so many resources in order to keep our operations moving. I wept with joy knowing these monies were so needed and would be well-utilized. Many thanks go out to those who donated during the auction. We were all touched not only by the large numbers but the smiles and the energy with which you gave. Thank you.

There were so many behind-the-scene volunteers that made the three days of events a huge success. The Red, White and Snow Executive Committee stayed on task, followed up and stood with all of us to the bitter end to ensure a strong finish.

Again, thanks to all of you for your compassion and giving hearts!

Rena Webb
Development Manager
renaw@discovernac.org