Who they are: Maine Adaptive is Maine’s largest year-round adaptive outdoor sports program for adults and children.
Maine Adaptive uses the hills, streams, rivers and landscape that surround Bethel, Maine, to help people with disabilities discover or rediscover outdoor activity.
They train volunteer coaches in everything from cycling to adaptive skiing, and use the latest of gear to help get people outside in a safe and fun way. Anyone with outdoor sports experience and a passion for helping others can volunteer to be trained for all kinds of positions. More than 400 volunteers are currently on their roster.
Who they serve and how to join: Anyone four years old and up with a disability that impairs their ability to take part in outdoor sports is welcome and once approved, can be coached at no cost. There are some restrictions, which are outlined on their website. It does involve some paperwork that Maine Adaptive will help you navigate.
Said long-time volunteer Kelly Mawdsley, if you or someone you care about looks to be eligible, “Call Maine Adaptive and yet yourself scheduled. You’ll love it.”
How they are funded: Maine Adaptive has the support of many businesses and foundations. Their annual fundraiser, The Sunday River Ski-a-thon, takes place March 24.
Presented by L.L. Bean, the ski-a-thon a fun-filled day of skiing and other on and near snow fun. There will be costumed, games, prizes and more. Those who raise $250 are invited to attend the Ski-A-Thon celebration at Definitive Brewing Company, with food, drink and a great silent auction. Raise $1,000 and you’ll head home with a custom Skida Hat, and raise $2,500 and you’ll take on an exclusive swag bag with Maine Adaptive goggles, Darn Tough socks and more.
All participants are given a ski pass for the span of the event. You can learn more and register at https://maineadaptive.org/skiathon/
Besides L.L. Bean, presenting sponsors for this year’s Ski-a-thon – the 36th – include Sunday River, LL Bean, and the Alera Group. Additional support for the event comes from New England Rehabilitation Hospital of Portland, Matterhorn Ski Bar, Synergent, Central Maine Power, Maine Credit Union League, Martin’s Point Health Care, Sally Harkins & Co, Definitive Brewing Company, Norway Savings Bank, Morin, Acadia Benefits, Sugarloaf and Pleasant Mountain.