Women Veterans Ski Day
Snowboarders enjoying a laugh
A vivid blue sky and radiant sun shined over 24 women Veterans and 72 women volunteers at the 2nd Annual Women Veterans Ski Appreciation Day at Mount Sunapee, NH on March 8, 2011. This event honors our brave women who serve (d) in the armed forces. It provides a day of sisterhood and a fun, carefree experience they will remember forever. All Veterans received a complimentary lift ticket, use of equipment, lessons from certified instructors (all whom volunteered their own time), delicious lunch, goodie bags, and home baked goods. Six of the Veterans had never skied and by the afternoon, they were off the beginner hill and took the ski lift up the mountain. To make the day even more special, we had a family of three generations ski together…..Colleen, Heidi and Natasha. While Heidi was serving in Iraq, Colleen purchased, for her granddaughter Natasha, 9 years old, lessons so when Heidi returned they would be able to ski together as a family. On March 8th at our event mother Heidi and daughter Natasha skied together for the first time and it was a magical moment the Veterans and volunteers will never forget. Grandmother and Veteran Colleen expressed with tears of joy, “You have no idea how therapeutic and wonderful this day has been for us. I can’t thank you enough!” This statement along with other expressions of gratitude and beaming smiles from Veterans and volunteers sums up this event perfectly. Many thanks to VA Boston Healthcare System, New England Handicapped Sports Association, Mount Sunapee Resort, Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare, Lindt Chocolate, and all the amazing volunteers for making this event possible. This experience will always be dear to our women Veteran’s hearts.
