Ski day pays off big for charities
The community ski day at the Hermitage Club raised $12,000 for local charities. Above, club general manager Bill Benneyan, second from right, presented checks to Kevin Ryan, left, and Kristin Mumford, of Deerfield Valley Community Cares, and Deb Boyd, right, of the Deerfield Valley Food Pantry.
WILMINGTON– On Monday, February 6, on stellar snow conditions, the Hermitage Club at Haystack Mountain welcomed 200 local skiers and snowboarders for a day on the slopes, raising $12,000 for the Deerfield Valley Food Pantry and Deerfield Valley Community Cares fuel assistance fund.
This special day on Haystack Mountain was open to local residents in the Deerfield Valley Southern Vermont Chamber of Commerce region and employees of all chamber members. All proceeds will would go to the two charities. Registration fees included lunch for all attendees and apres ski entertainment by Logan Boyd.
After the event Hermitage Club General Manager Bill Benneyan said that in the small-town tradition of neighbors helping neighbors the club felt it was important to help those that need an assist.
Haystack Mountain is part of valley history and has nearly been shuttered more than once. Now that it’s on solid footing as a private club and contributing once again, it seems appropriate to celebrate and share by opening it up to the public again for a day. Benneyan added that the club was able to generate much-needed funds for two important resources and participants had a great time sharing stories and memories of Haystack.
Deerfield Valley Community Cares co-chair Kevin Ryan said they were honored to be co-recipients of the fundraising proceeds and thanked the club for making it possible for neighbors to help neighbors. Ryan added that everything about the event was exceptional, saying the members and attentive staff provided a white glove experience at their special resort.
Deb Boyd put a fine point on the timely need for support of the food pantry, saying that with the rising cost of inflation, everyone is feeling the pinch, especially those with limited resources. The emergency allotments to 3SquaresVT benefits are ending mid-March, and that puts an additional burden on the most vulnerable population. The proceeds from this fundraiser will definitely help in seeing that no one in the valley goes needlessly hungry.
Boyd added a “thank you” to the Hermitage Club and everyone who participated in the event, saying it was sincerely appreciated.
