On Friday December 13, 2013 the Stratton Foundation distributed $6,000 to organizations spanning our region thanks to the success and generosity received from riders in this past summer's 2nd annual Vermont Challenge road-cycling event.
The Vermont Challenge is a 4-day tour that provides riders with an opportunity to experience our beautiful and diverse landscape, and to appreciate the people of Vermont through donations to the Stratton Foundation. The Stratton Foundation is proud to have selected an organization in each of the host-towns of the event that include Stratton, Manchester, Killington, and Okemo, that share in its mission of helping Vemonters in need. The receiving organizations include Black River Good Neighbors, The Jamaica/Wardsboro Community Food Pantry, BROC's 'Feed the Freezer' program and Meals on Wheels.
John Sohikian, founder and president of the Vermont Challenge LLC noted that "providing these funds at this time will really help each of these great organizations provide healthy meals to the families they serve this holiday season". "This is the driving force behind what we do", stated Sohikian. In addition, the Vermont Challenge brings in tens of thousands of dollars to hotels and restaurants which then employ people in the communities The Vermont Challenge touches. In fact, Sohikian noted, "our ride has an economic multiplier affect". Sky Foulkes, the General Manager of Stratton and President of the Stratton Foundation stated that "The Vermont Challenge is now one of our signature Be series events. We are excited to help the Vermont Challenge continue to grow and serve our communities with the Foundation's help". To learn more about the Be series, check out: http://www.stratton.com/events-and-activities/be-series/be-event-series.....
The VT Challenge in 2014 will again take $25 of each rider's registration fee to go towards these four grant recipients listed above to be administered by the Stratton Foundation. As the Vermont Challenge grows in stature we'll continue to increase the amount funds donated to support the communities that host our ride.
For sponsorship packets, or more information on The Vermont Challenge, please contact
The Vermont Challenge - visit www.vtchallenge.com
In the photo: Steve Kerstein (Treasurer, Stratton Foundation), Sky Foulkes (President Stratton Foundation/GM Stratton Mountain Resort), John Sohikian (VT Challenge President), Elaine Beckwith (Jamaica/Wardsboro Community Food Pantry), Tammy Mosher (ED, Stratton Foundation)