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Dear Stratton Friend,
Since the beginning, Stratton Mountain has meant more than trails and snow, lodges and lifts. Stratton Mountain means community.
We are fortunate to be part of a community that includes skiers and snowboarders who have made this mountain home as well as a team of employees who make every guest feel welcome.
We know this resort could not run without our team, and when I look at the thousands of hours our employees devote to hundreds of organizations I wonder how our communities could run without them. They devote so much of their time, energy, expertise … to town and school boards, rescue squads and Scouts. They teach music to local school children, coach soccer, build homes with Habitat for Humanity, spearhead fund-raising events for the American Heart Association … the list goes on and on.
It’s all part of being a good neighbor, and that’s our goal at Stratton Mountain. Each year, we proudly support youth sports, education and wellness in our communities along with other important initiatives here at home. The information in this report explains the process for requesting a donation, criteria we consider and an overview of the programs we were able to support in 2008.
The world is different today, yet when we take a moment to reflect we still have countless wonderful things for which we are grateful. We are afforded the extraordinary opportunity to get together in a very special place, with very special people. And we remain grateful for the opportunity to share.
Sincerely,
Sky Foulkes & the Stratton Mountain Community
We consider each request based on proximity and priorities established by Stratton’s charitable giving committee:
Youth Sports, Education, Environment, Health and Wellness along with other criteria including low administrative overhead costs and number of people who benefit from the program.
This year’s awards included 26 cash donations ($26,000) and 62 in-kind contributions of lift tickets, season passes, golf, lodging and other Stratton activities and amenities (with a total value of $31,000) to a wide range of organizations such as Burr and Burton Academy, Flood Brook Athletic Association, Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund, Stratton Mountain School, the Carlos Otis Clinic, West River Sports Association, and many more important groups here in the heart of our southern Vermont community
We also support local branches of national organizations such as United Way, Red Cross, Special Olympics, and Vermont-New Hampshire Race for the Cure with a Gold Level sponsorship in 2008.
Stratton is a proud sponsor of Refuse to Use and the Junior Instructional Ski Program, which together represent 1,100 complimentary season passes to youth in our communities. Plus, students in Wardsboro, Londonderry, Bondville and Manchester each receive a Stratton Season Pass.
Stratton Mountain also partners with the non-profit Stratton Foundation to host fund-raising events that support community groups throughout southern Vermont.
Here in our first community report you will find highlights from the year including a look at a few of the initiatives and employees making a difference here at home in southern Vermont.
In 2007-2008, Stratton Mountain celebrated a season that saw nearly 200 inches of snow with a bonus weekend that brought two more days of skiing and riding, plus an additional $6,300 in support to four community organizations.
Ticket prices were slashed to $30 and half of the proceeds were distributed to the Stratton Foundation and three local youth athletic organizations: Flood Brook Athletic Association, West River Sports Association and Burr and Burton Academy. Checks were presented to Andy Avery of the Stratton Foundation during their annual Tink Smith Golf Tournament fundraiser held at the Stratton Mountain Country Club, and to Burr and Burton Director of Athletics Kathi Bierwirth, Flood Brook Athletic Association President Steve Smith and West River Sports Board President Kate Koch.
The Stratton Foundation was started 11 years ago by Stratton executives and members of the community to enhance the quality of life and create a sense of community in southern Vermont. Over the years, the Foundation has contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to non-profit organizations in support of projects that meet a documented need in one or more of the 16 southern Vermont communities served with a specific focus on fire and safety, health and social services, recreation and the environment, education, and the arts.
For the schools and youth athletic organizations, the donations went towards off-setting participation costs and funding scholarships as well as to the purchase of new uniforms, banners and plaques, and equipment repairs and upgrades. The schools also rely on fund-raising events such as Burr and Burton’s Angie Giaotti 79’ Memorial Golf Tournament, Flood Brook School’s basketball “Shoot-A-Thon” and West River’s dinner auction and annual soccer tournament.
To learn more about the Stratton Foundation or to make a donation, visit them at www.strattonfoundation.org. To make a donation to the Burr and Burton Athletic Booster Club, email Kathi Bierwirth at kbierwirth@burrburton.org, for the Flood Brook Athletic Association please contact Steve Smith 824-5474 and for West River please contact Kate Koch at 824-9977
Stratton Collects Coats to Help Keep Locals Warm
Stratton retail and association management employees got together to launch a coat collection drive during peak fall weekends at the resort. They set up tables at the Labor Day tent sale and Columbus Day festivities, and together 210 jackets and snow pants that have been donated to Manchester Health Care Services and the Agape Christian Fellowship of Windham County. These organizations distribute the coats to those in need of some warmer winter layers.
The 210 coats and pants collected in 2008 represented a significant increase from the 130 collected in 2007, the first year of the program. “We were extremely happy with the turnout this year and hope that the whole effort translates into a warmer and more comfortable winter for the recipients of the coats,” said Stratton Retail Group Manager and coat drive co-organizer Wes Huck.
Stratton hopes to continue this annual coat drive next year and build on the success from 2008, however, individuals wishing to donate clean coats in good condition throughout the year may bring them to either Bogner or Stratton Sports, located in the Stratton Village.
Making Skiing and Riding Accessible:
The Junior Instructional Ski Program at Stratton Mountain
What started in the backyard of Dr.Carlos Otis’ house in 1964 has grown into a program that last year alone brought 800 local schoolchildren to Stratton Mountain each week for a day of skiing and riding.
The Junior Instructional Ski Program, or JISP, makes it possible for local kids between the ages of 8 and 18 to experience the joys of skiing at a very low cost.
In addition to offering complimentary access to the mountain, instruction and instructor training, JISP also serves another important function: outfitting its members with new and used ski and snowboard equipment. Spearheading this effort is Stratton Ski School Supervisor Taffy Morgan who has been involved with the program for over 30 years. Taffy’s involvement with JISP actually pre-dates her employment with Stratton Mountain and is a strong testament to her commitment to the cause. “It has been a wonderful thing for a bunch of kids who wouldn’t have had the opportunity to ski otherwise” she said.
Much of the new equipment that Taffy accumulates and passes on to JISP participants comes from a generous $1,000 annual donation from the Stratton Trailblazers ski club. The rest comes from donations from anybody who wishes to be a part of helping out this great cause. If you would like to donate equipment to the Junior Instructional Ski Program, you can contact Taffy in the Stratton Mountain Ski and Snowboard School.
Students who ‘Refuse to Use’, are rewarded with a Season Pass
Stratton Mountain Resort is a long term supporter of community initiatives that focus on education and recreation for youth. For the 6th year, Stratton partners with the Flood Brook Community Collaborative and the Northshire Teen-Centered Coalition to support students from grades 7 through 12 who "Refuse to Use" drugs, alcohol and tobacco. In return for their pledge, the student is rewarded with a Stratton Season Pass.
The goal of the program is to create a community of teens that support each other in being substance free. Participating students must attend at least five educational and recreational programs throughout the winter season and take an oath not to use drugs, tobacco or alcohol. In return, they are given a season pass which provides them with the opportunity to enjoy a full season of skiing or snowboarding at Stratton Mountain. In 2008, a total of 388 local students joined Refuse to Use.
According to Program Director Jennifer Fannery, Stratton’s involvement “has changed the way that the entire community views substance abuse prevention among teens. Stratton’s giant commitment to the effort and generosity makes everyone work very hard and rise to the occasion to help keep our kid’s drug free.”
In 2008, 388 local students participated in the program and the mountain expects even more participants in as we spread the word of Refuse to Use.
Columbus Day Weekend celebrations, Stratton Mountain collected 210 jackets and snow pants that have been donated to Manchester Health Care Services and the Agape Christian Fellowship of Windham County. These organizations will distribute the coats to local citizens in need of some warmer layers as we head into the winter season here in Vermont.
Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure
Stratton Mountain has been involved in the Race for the Cure since the beginning. Launched in conjunction with the McCall’s LPGA Classic at Stratton in 1993, the Vermont Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure has raised more than $4.5 million for breast cancer education, screening and treatment programs in our communities.
• In 2008, Stratton Mountain sponsored the Vermont New Hampshire Race for the Cure at the $10,000 Gold Level, an increase from the long-time Silver ($5,000) Sponsorship.
.• 35 Stratton employees joined the Race in 2008
• The Stratton team also raised $4,856in pledges.
• The 2009 Komen VT-NH Race for the Cure is set for July 26, 2009 at Hildene Meadows. Walk, Run, Volunteer, Pledge…. This is one race everyone wins. For more information, visit www.vtnhcure.org.
Tubbs Romp To Stomp Out Breast Cancer
Join us in helping to STOMP OUT BREAST CANCER! Choose from a 3K or 5K benefit snowshoe walk or a 3k race. Easy, well marked trails along with free snowshoe demos from Tubbs make this a great event for all sorts of ages and abilities—even if you've never snowshoed before!
Since 2003, the Tubbs Romp to Stomp out Breast Cancer has raised nearly three quarters of a million dollars for Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and its Affiliates and inspired thousands of to get out snowshoeing!
• Stratton hosts the annual Tubbs Romp to Stomp Out Breast Cancer on January 31, 2009.
• Last year alone, Stratton participants raised $75,000 once again taking the top spot in the event series.
• To join the 3K or 5K benefit snowshoe walk or 3K fun run on Stratton's beautiful Sun Bowl cross country trails, visit www.tubbsromptostomp.com.
Stratton Mountain Resort’s Environmental Stewardship and Fresh Tracks Initiative
Stratton Mountain Resort’s legacy of environmental leadership has been recognized with three Silver Eagle Awards, two Governor’s Awards, and a nomination for a fourth Silver Eagle in 2008. Over the past year, Stratton has continued its commitment to the environment with new strides in forest management, efficiencies in resort operations, solid waste reduction, energy usage offsets, and more. Here are some of the projects and initiatives that have helped to make Stratton and the surrounding communities a “greener” place in 2008:
• In May, ten members of the Stratton Green Team aided Vermont Fish and Wildlife in stocking the West River with over 100,000 Atlantic Salmon Fry.
• Developed a cutting edge Forest Management Plan in conjunction with the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund. For the full story, visit: http://www.stratton.com/mediaroom/summer2008/Forest_Management.htm
• Invested a half million dollars in snowmaking energy efficiency programs.
• Refrigeration efficiency upgrade saving approximately 43,500 KWH.
• Purchased enough renewable energy credits to offset of 100% of energy output.
• Solid waste reduction plan that saw the implementation of a waste free employee cafeteria.
• Established formal “No Idle” zones in all Stratton drop-off areas.
• To learn all about the Stratton Fresh Tracks Initiative and sustainable practices, visit http://www.stratton.com/Community/environment/index.htm
A Spotlight on Stratton Volunteers
Seth Boyd, Risk Manager
• Seth Boyd is a a parent teacher group volunteer in Whitimgham where he also serves with the fire department, ambulance service and school board.
Sara Colgan- Human Resources Training Manager
• Sara Colgan is a board member and volunteer for the Green Mountain Festival Series www.greenmountainfestivalseries.com, a non-profit group that brings artists into the community during winter months. Additionally, the organization has an arts-in-education component which brings the artists to local schools (Chester, Floodbrook, Cavendish).
Margaret Dwyer, Water Department Manager
• Margaret Dwyer, chairman of the Windham Board of Selectmen, also volunteers with the West River Watch Program and Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue.
Paul Fitzgerald- Executive Chef- Stratton Mountain Club
• Paul Fitzgerald volunteers his time with the Townshend farmers market. He also donates food and prepares meals for an assisted living community in Townsend
Pauline Hopkins- Food and Beverage
• Pauline Hopkins helps out with fundraisers and fairs to support Green Mountain Camp for Girls.
Bonnie Lawrence- Inn at Stratton Mountain
• Bonnie Lawrence serves on the Board of Directors for the Bennington area Habitat for Humanity, and is also the site committee chairperson. She is joined on that committee by Alison Clayton-Cummings who is the Director of Stratton’s Junior Ski School at Stratton.
Paul Maitland, Lift Manager
• Paul Maitland has served for 24 years with the Shaftsbury Fire Department. He is an ambulance driver, forest fire warden, Little League coach and a host family for Bennington baseball .
Steve Mayanrd, Property Manager
• Steve Maynard serves on the Londonderry Fire Department and Rescue Squad, as a catechism instructor at Saint Paul’s Church and as a volunteer with the Girl Scouts.
Doug Personette, Stratton snowmaker
• Doug Personette is head of trustees and property committee for Sandgate United Methodist Church. He also devotes hundreds of hours to bringing music to the community. Teaching in the Arlington schools and performing in free concerts with Washington County Band and Sage City Symphony.
Josh Rosenblum- Chief of Mountain Rescue
• Josh Rosenblum is heavily invested in local law, rescue and ambulance services at Stratton and in the surrounding community. Josh volunteers with the Southern Vermont Wilderness Search and Rescue and the Southern Vermont Law Enforcement Snowmobile Task Force. He is a CPR Instructor for regional American Heart Association, and the Vice Chairman of the State of Vermont EMS District #11.
Kurt and Theresa Williams- Stratton Food and Beverage
• Kurt and Theresa Williams volunteer at Jamaica Village School Club. They cook for fundraisers, park cars at dam release, help at Penny Sale and on December Craft Day they help the kids to make gifts for family.
How to Apply
To request a donation from Stratton Mountain Resort, please contact Cheryl Ruth at cruth@intrawest.com for donation guidelines and to receive an application.
