This year, Howard Center’s Curling Challenge fundraiser featured 30 teams, including several high school teams which were sponsored by Kittell Branagan & Sargent, McSoley McCoy & Co., and Myers Waste & Recycle. The Silver-level sponsors for this year’s fundraiser include Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont, Geri Reilly Real Estate, Price Chopper, Tech Group, Tech Vault, and Cairns Arena. In addition, numerous businesses fielded teams, including Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont, Dinse Knapp McAndrew, Spruce Mortgage, and TruexCullins. The Green Mountain Curling Club provides instruction and equipment for all participants, and teams compete throughout the day at Cairns Arena in South Burlington to earn a spot in the evening playoffs. In traditional curling style, players are led on to the ice by a bagpiper to mark the beginning of the semi-finals. In addition to competing for a gold medal, teams vie for other prizes—best team name, best costume, and best team spirit, as well as top fundraising prizes. Money raised from the event will support some of the essential Howard Center programs that help individuals and families in our community, including 24/7/365 crisis services, residential programs, specialized schools, mentoring programs, street outreach, and substance use treatment and recovery.