Student skiers and snowboarders from schools throughout the area, including Tyrone, will be joining forces again this winter to help raise funds for the animals at the Central Pennsylvania Humane Society in this season’s “Ski/Board for the Animals” campaign.
The young participants represent ski/board clubs at their schools who compete to raise the most funds for prizes and bragging rights. The campaign operates as a “Ski/Board-a-thon” and involves soliciting sponsors to donate on behalf of individual students. Those students who raise at least $20 will receive special, limited edition CPHS “Ski for the Animals” T-shirts and “goody bags” filled with items donated by local merchants such as food coupons, ski-related items and more.
Other incentives include prizes such as gift certificates and pizza parties. In addition, the club raising the most funds overall will take possession of a large “traveling” trophy (courtesy Champion Trophy, Altoona) and have “bragging rights” for the year.
A major prize new to the event this year is a new I-Pod “nano” which will be awarded to the student who raises the second highest amount of donations from among all who participate. The first place fundraiser will receive a season lift ticket courtesy of Blue Knob Resort. Each school club’s top fundraiser will earn a one-day lift ticket.
Last year the students raised nearly $5,000 to help homeless animals. This year, the funding is needed more than ever, according to shelter officials.
“Our utility costs this season are enormous,” said CPHS Executive Director Dave Hopkins. “In addition, we’re dealing with the extreme jump in gasoline prices which affect our transportation. We’re hoping the public will step up and support this effort by our young skiers and boarders who have done so much for us in past events at Blue Knob. Between now and Mid-February, students will be asking for donations. When they come to your door, we hope you’ll help them help our animals.”
The public event, “Ski for the Animals”, is slated for February 25-26 at Blue Knob Ski Resort. Details about it will be distributed in early February.
Students who are not members of a club or attend a school without an organized ski/board club are also being invited to participate in this year’s event.
For information about the student “Ski/Board for the Animals” campaign, contact Hopkins at CPHS at 942-2477.
