STRIDE News August 2014
CEO Message – Reporting on our
Annual acheivements
A Poem about STRIDE by
Marleah Lybold (age 14)
Approachi
ng our 30
year mark
with fullsteam
ahead in
2015-16
was the
theme for
our
annual
meeting
this year,
held
atMoscati
ello’s
Restauran
t in Troy,
Congrats to Christian Grugan, Athlete of the Year; and
NY on
Jeremy Walton, Volunteer of the Year!
Tuesday,
July 29. Attended by nearly 50 constituents, the Board
reviewed our year-end achievements & finances. Entering
our 29th year, STRIDE provided an astounding 7,393
adaptive sport lessons and once again added new and
exciting programs to our curriculum. We continued long-time
collaborations with many organizations including Disabled
Sports USA, US Paralympics, Twin Town Boy Scout Council,
and Albany Chapter of Autism Society to name a few. We
served over 40 Wounded Warriors and their families in a
number of programs and events. Our program numbers
grew, while still providing personalized attention to each
student, which we highly value.
Development and fund-raising efforts will likely increase in
the new fiscal year, and already proving so. Our new
Development Director, Jamie Brough has 'big picture' vision,
and a strong background in non-profit management.
Before I
started
here
I thought
I was
alone
But I feel
different
now
As if I
have a
throne.
After I
met you
I learned
I have a
choice
It was
just a
year ago
I didn’t
think I
had a voice.
Every child is special
In their own unique way
But I understand how they feel
When they feel so far away.
The things you do
They make me smile
My work may be hard
But it’s definitely worthwhile.
You’ve done a lot for me
Overhead in general operations remained moderately low
with our 3 full-time employees, leveraging many college
interns and volunteers for office work. Fiscal development in
third-party fund-raising (where an outside organization hosts
an event to support STRIDE), was surprisingly high. Early
this summer, theAlbany Country Club hosted a golf
tournament to support our Warrior programs, raising nearly
$40,000; in addition to nearly a dozen smaller events, such
as hockey games, gymnastics exhibit, archery tournament,
and blue jeans Friday, to name a few.
As we enter 2015-16 year, we will trademark our logo
with‘Celebrating 30 years’ banner, and plan to launch a
capital campaign to focus on the purchase of a much needed
larger headquarters space and storage building. Our hope is
to invest a down-payment to keep our mortgage/utilities
equivalent to what we spend now; and to find the perfect
property that gives ample office space/parking for our
growing personnel with accessible access, storage for
property and equipment, and a learning center for hosted
events at the headquarters.
To last my whole life through
And I finally found something
I know I want to pursue.
Congratulations to Athlete of the Year, Christian Grugan!
Congratulations to Volunteer of the Year, Jeremy Walton!
And Congratulations to Corporate Sponsor of the Year,
United Parcel Service - Albany Hub!
Instead of going to Amazon, go
toAmazonsmile.com - Choose STRIDE
as your charity and then SHOP away!
Amazon will donate 0.05% of your total
purchase to STRIDE. Install the
AmazonSmile shortcut in your browser
as your favorite and each time you open
to shop it will remind you that you are
supporting STRIDE! Imagine if all our
on-line shoppers did this...we'd raise
thousands annually at no expense to
you!
Financial Fitness Article – Jamie Brough
Welcome to STRIDE’s
Financial Fitness
Series! This series
aims to highlight the
best practices that
STRIDE employs in
financial management.
Why? So that all our
donors can be
confident in knowing
their donations directly
support STRIDE’s
mission to bring sports
and recreation to
individuals with
disabilities!
This article highlights STRIDE’s annual income. As with
individuals, almost all tax-exempt nonprofit organizations
must file a tax return each year – called the IRS Form 990 –
disclosing the organization’s income, expenses, assets, and
liabilities. If you look at STRIDE’s income (aka, revenue) on
its 990, you’ll see our income exceeds expenses every year
(known as the bottom line ratio), satisfying an important
indicator of sustainability. In other words, we can pay our
bills! And while most of our bills are related to program
expenses, the program revenue section on our 990 confirms
I found where I belong
And where I will stay
Til the end of time
I will continue this way.
I will always do my best
To make the world a better place
Please join with me
To put a smile on every face.
Shop, shop, shop... New
Way to Support STRIDE!
Consider Volunteering? Here's
why...
Volunt
eers
are
the
lifeblo
od of
STRI
DE.
When
Thank you to Sherriff Dave Bartlett and you
Columbia County Corrections for
volunt
oferring their inmate volunteer program eer,
to paint the SCORE lodge
you
become part of something bigger. You
become part of the solution. STRIDE
volunteers teach sport lessons, counsel
children and youth with special needs,
and build hope for families in need of
that we pass on these costs to participants only 19% of the
time (mostly in our costly bike camp and snowsports
programs). The rest of STRIDE’s program expenses are paid
for with our “revenue” in the form of contributions, grants,
and fundraising event proceeds. So to all those who give to
STRIDE each year – THANK YOU!!!
SCORE 'Camp Vision' program - first of
it's kind
In mid
July,
STRIDE
hosted a
week-long
camp for
12
teenagers
who are
blind or
visully
impaired.“
Camp
Vision" 's
mission to
enable
special
youth to
become
more self- Camp Vision youth take ATV rides with '4Wheeling 4 Healing'
Group at SCORE
sufficient
and to maximize their participation in the community, at
school, and in life skills. Outdoor recreation experiences can
level the playing field and boost self-image for a child facing
the daily challenges of visual impairment.
While STRIDE has provided adaptive camping programs for
over 20 years to youth with special needs, “Camp Vision” is
the first program exclusively designed for a single category
of disability – visual impairments. The program builds off of a
pilot weekend program held last year for 13 visually impaired
youth from around the region. Utilizing adaptive techniques,
the program introduced the campers to activities such as
disc golf, archery and paintball target shooting using
beepers; martial arts demo, ATV trail riding, and basic first
aid course.
What makes this program unique is that VI/blind youth don’t
often get the chance in a social situation to partake in
outdoor recreation and education as a group. Imagine the
first thrill of hearing the nocturnal sounds of coyotes and owls
that frequent our SCORE camp in the summer! The week
was epic and memorable, for not only the students, but for all
the counselors and for the community at large. Activities
respite. They change lives every day.
They also gain valuable skills, make
new friends, gain confidence, and form
a community. Join us and make a
difference in our community.STRIDE is
a place to build relationships as well
change lives.
Companies can send a team of
employee volunteers to our SCORE
camp in the spring or fall for clean-up
days, employees interact outside of the
office and make a difference in their
community. By working together,
employees get to know each other
better and that positive experience
carries over into the workplace. When
working together toward a common
goal, employees find common ground,
make new friendships, and leave the
site with a sense of
accomplishment. Join us today!
Recruiting Ski and Snowboard
instructors for our 3 Mountain
resorts NOW!!!
Help us get 2,000 likes on
Facebook! Add us to your
Twitter feed!
Help
STRI
DE
reach
a
milest
one in social media. We are just shy of
2,000 likes on our Facebook page. Help
us reach this milestone by sharing our
posts with your friends and encourage
them to like us. As our presence on
social media grows, we will be able to
spread awareness of adaptive sports.
Join us on
Twitter.com@STRIDEAdaptive!
STRIDE Cares
Deepest Sympathies:
~ to family of Honorary Board member
Tom Haffner on the passing of his father
included Karaoke night; folk singers at the campfire; a day at Bob Haffner. Contributions in his name
the beach, an integrated teen dance with a DJ in the SCORE were collected in lieu of flowers. (Thanks
to:Janet Nicholas, Margo Powell, lliam Riordan, Frank
lodge on Wednesday night; and a special presentation by
H. & Marilyn C. Overstrom, Margaret B. Moore, GE
Sochi 2014 Paralympic alpine ski race guide, Kim Seevers.
Foundation, Bill and Doris Wildermuth, Mike & Gail
On Thursday five young children with vision impairments
Diffley, Amy Lange, The Werner Family, Doreen
Norley, Geralyn M. Gough, Allan R. Lesslauer,
joined the group for a one-night tenting “mentor” night
Jacqueline Woodbeck, Robert L. & Judith M.
experience.
Winchester, Francis Nemia , Amy Souky, Janet
'Strides 4 STRIDE' Olympic Day 5th
Annual 5K Run/ Walk/ Roll!
The spirit
of the
Olympic
Movement
rolled into
Albany;
our 5K
Run &
2.5K Walk
combined
event
celebrated
Olympic
Day on
Saturday, Handcycle division start the race for 5K!
June 21st is the biggest turnout ever to promote healthy,
active lifestyles, regardless of disability. Activites included a
400-meter tot run , a bouncy house, chair massages, and fun
activities with Sparky the Clown and Goofball.
US Paralympic Skiing blind athlete guide, Kim Seevers, was
honored guest to start the race at Corning Preserve in
Albany. With over 400 in attendance we learned that the
Corning course is now too small for our event, so we will be
moving to a new location next June… watch for more
info.The event raised much awareness and over $20,000 for
our programs.
Thanks to our major sponsors: SEFCU; Hannaford; Fleet
Feet;Phillips Hardware; and Freihofer's. Also thank to our top
fund-raisers: Steve Ferro, Mare Whitney, and Jon Phillips.
Scammell, Mark Lesslauer, David A. & Dorothy M.
Haffner, Ed & Debra McNamara, The Gagnons, Elliott
& Lenore Sylvan, Regina & Gary Miller , Robert &
Angela McCoy, John R. & Amy E. McDonald)
~ to Jim Morris on the passing of his
mother
~ to Beverly Hershey on the passing of
her father
Thank You:
~ to Kristin Johnson, ski volunteer, who
stepped outside that role to plan a big
fund-raiser for STRIDE. Unfortunately, it
had to be cancelled – but we applaud
her efforts!
Get Well:
~ Jake Martin, after accident and
surgery
Good luck:
~ to all the new college students
heading off to their institutions of higher
education
Congratulations:
~ to CSM Frank Wicks on retirement
from the National Guard
~ to Ski Sundown ski volunteers Emily
Landers and Layth Haddad on the birth
of their son Taylor in July
~ to Brady McMurtry on acheiving Eagle
Scout
Summer Programs
Concluding /Fall Programs
STRIDE Support: Donations Since June!
Scheduled!
We would like to take this opportunity to thank the following groups,
clubs and individuals for their financial and in-kind support. These
contributions help make STRIDE Adaptive programs possible!
UPS Foundation
World Class Gymnastics Academy
Albany Country Club
MB Care PC
Spina Bifida Association Northeastern New York
Sgt. Steve Roy, Schodack Police Dept.
American Legion Post 184
Ad Lib, Inc., Sports Fund
Bayer Material Science
Our new program at Greenbush YMCA
Thomas Corners Fire Dept., Town of Glenville
Autism Speaks, Inc.
The Kissinger Family Foundation
Kinderhook Bank
Mazzone's Hospitality
The Chatham Film Club, Inc.
Spectrum 8 Theatres
Times Union Center
Berkshire South Regional Community Center
Hilton Garden Inn Troy
Catamount Ski Area
SPAC
Cranwell Resort
Mike Reilly, Energy Insurance
Lakeview Restaurant
Susan Scrimshaw
Gettysburg Flag Works
Jiminy Peak
Gore Mountain
Red Lion Inn
State Farm Companies Foundation
KeyBank Foundation
Bank of America Matching Gift Program
Keith Deters, Rakowana Field Archers, Inc.
Vivian Hwang ,Confetti Stage, Inc.
James Stuart
James B. & Marie Moorhead
Phil Bayly & Carolyn Micheli
Pat Clark
Jamie Deats honoring Bayly/Michelli wedding
John Gaylord
Diane Grugan
Eric Hoppel honoring Bayly/Michelli wedding
Philip C. and Brigitte H. Johnson
Amelia Klein
Anne H. Kulak
Helen Ling
Teresa Mullady
John Nagy
Jacob J. Plata
Joshua Skubon
William F. & Elizabeth J. Wicks
Rocco M. Zaninelli, M.D.
Grandchildren of Lester Brown, in his memory
Janet Scammell – In memory of Lester Brown, Olga Giombetti, and Robert Hillier
wasyoga, attended by 13 youth and
their caregivers, was a wonderful
addition as reported by parents and
youth. It afforded an opportunity for
family fun and wellness together. We
will schedule two sessions for the fall,
adding a second location at Clifton Park
YMCA
5K Donors:
~Defibrillator
SEFCU Foundation
Kiwanis Club of Western Turnpike Guilderland
Energizer Dib
A. Phillips Hardware Inc.
Lia Group Inc.
Jonathan Phillips
Thomas & Ann Jeram
Jim & Mary Whitney
Denise Andrescavage
Mark Arcieri
Terrence Arndt
Marna Atkin
Jeffrey Barish
Jennifer Barnes
Jerilee Beaudoin
Ernest Bebernitz
Judy Benardete
Alice Berghof
Beverly Beutel
Nabeel Bhanji
William Blatter
Rebecca Blume
Lucy Brady
Aaron Brantly
Robert Braverman
Mike Brown
Sailing program at Saratoga is now
underway on Friday evenings skippered
by Michael Perrotti and some young
volunteer sailors who make great peer
mentors. We are hopeful to reinstitute
the New Rochelle Sailing program, with
a ‘discovery day’ in late summer. Dance
program is still a hit instructed by teens
of the Isabelle School of Dance in
Schodack. Golf got a late summer into
fall start under the direction of
Recreation specialist, Davin Burek at
route 4 Golf in North Greenbush.
Fall programs scheduled will be found
on our calendar of events on the newly
renovated website and will
include swimming, tennis, sled
hockey, shooting, bowling, dance
and teen dances.
STRIDE Wish List
~Emergency Evacuation
backboard/stretcher
~Frisbee golf disk sets
~School archery equipment
~Wet/dry vacuum; dustbuster
~Fireplace tool set
~Adirondack outdoor chairs
~Paper supplies
~cleaning supplies
~ office supplies
Susan Bugbee
Nicholas Bugbee
Beth Burdick
Vita Busch
David Campbell
Michael Castren
Sam Cierzo
Jon Cipes
Amy Clyne
Dan Coffey
Susan Collett
Melissa Conger
Stephen Constantine
James Coyle
Joseph Czupryna
Anne Czupryna
Matthew Daly
Sandy Dasigenis
Joanne/Don Davidoff
Kristin Davis
Diane de Angelis
Rob Dennis
Frank Diliberto
Maria Dimura
Eileen Doherty
Donna Downing
Christopher Edwards
Marie Elena Kehler
Mary Ellen Trumbull
Melissa Ellwanger
Brian Fairbank
Celia Ferro
Jessica Ferro
Steven Ferro
Nancy Fitzgerald
Jim Foley
Peter Formica
David Foyt
Steve Frazee
Tanya Frink
Alex Frolish
Dennis Galliher
Donna Gehnrich
Kimbelry German
Suzanne Gnospelius
Debra Goewey
Jennifer Goewey
Andrea Golub
Donna Greenfield
Immaculate Griffin
Laura Grunfeld
Nicole Habif
Layth Haddad
Joan Hart
Michael Hart
Art Harvey
Andrew Heck
Dave Hosford
Kevin Hotaling
Jill Hughes
Robert Hylwa
Elayne Ireland
John J. Saia Jr.
Kathleen Jimino
Kimberly Jones
Howard Katz
Todd Kedik
Kim Keil
Todd Kilburn
Jennifer Kilcoyne
Amelia Klein
Gregory Kosinski
Carolyn Kronick
~ Mountain bikes
~Comercial Wood chipper
~Pessure washer/sprayer
Bike Camp!
June
23th27th ‘I
Can
Shine’
Bicycl
e
Camp
return
ed this ‘I Can Shine’ Bicycle Camp at Union
summ College.
er toUnion College. For our 9th year,
STRIDE partnered again with Albany
Chapter of Autism Society to offer this
specialized program to teach kids how
to ride a bike in one short week!
Presented by “I Can Shine”, traveling
bike trainers with a fleet of adaptive
bikes specifically designed to ensure
success. The statistical evidence of the
success is shown in populations such
as kids with autism or Down syndrome.
90 percent of our participants learn how
to ride at the camp’s end!
We held the camp in the field house
instead of Achilles rink. By Wednesday
most kids were outside on the track with
successfull riding. Thanks to all the
wonderful High School volunteers from
Scotia Glenville, that provided nearly 2
on one instruction. The program
enrolled 36 participants, all successfully
riding today!
the program was capped with awards
ceremony and biker safety lecture from
state police. Everyone got t-shirts and
trophies!
SCORE is our Greatest
Blessing!
Aime Kunes
Anne Kuppinger
Karen Kuzminskas
Eric Larner
Eric Lemoine
Jane Lesslauer
Ed Lewis
Bill Lia, Jr.
Michael Mahoney
Petra Malitz
Michael Mancino
Clifton Mark
Bruce Markowitz
Patricia Martino
Judy Marx
Jamie Masson
Kathleen McCarty
Mark McClenahan
Dan McKinnon
Carolyn Micheli
Linda Milinowicz
Dick Miller
Ed Miller
Jay Mollenhauer
Kate Mollenhauer
Jenn Nacht
Rich Nicolais
Charles Patrick Harner
Doug Peddie
Mark Perry
Richard Peters
Pamela Price
David Pritt
Anne Reynolds Copps
Karen Rich
Gina Rizzuti
Sabrina Ruggiero
Julie Sasso
Milt Schmidt
Conrad Shultz
Myles Silton
Kathleen Slater
Daniel Slote
Michael Smigielski
Stephanie Smith
John Snider
Kathryn Snyder
Marly Soltysiak
Emma Sopko
Maryannn Springer
Elizabeth Stevens
Stacy Stevens
Dave Stolte
Steve Strauss
Steven Strauss on Behalf Of Trta Professional
Ann-Marie Suglia
David Sussman
Robert Taylor
Susan Thompson
Judy Turner
Cory Tyksinski
Geoffrey Vangorkom
Victoria Verbit
Melinda Waldron
Doug Ward
Helen Washer
Marion Whitman
George Whitney
Mary Ellen Whitney
Mara Wineberg
Spencer Wohlers
David Wojeski
Scott Wood
One of our greatest blessings in thirty
years has been the addition of our
SCORE center in Columbia County.
Now in our second full camping season,
we have introduced all new educational
themes, activities, events and respite for
so many of our constituents. From teen
dances, to archery and fishing lessons,
ski instructor trainings, volunteer
parties, Eagle Scout ceremony, Marine
wedding, snowshoeing, to paintball
target shooting; all in addition to our
youth camping weekends that have
themes such as Military Boot camp,
nature exploration, 4-wheeling, or
aviation with airplane rides. We
discovered Crellin Park less than 2
miles away for free lifeguarded
swimming in a lake, basketball,
playground and hiking fitness trail on
those hot summer days. So much to
do…so little time!
The Center is also available all the time
for veterans who need or want respite in
a sfe magical spot to just relax and
enjoy nature. We recently hosted a
group of veterans from the Bronx who
spent a weekend enjoying the solitude
of this beautiful envirnoment.
SCORE has attracted so many new
donors and brought awareness in
communities we never expected. We
have joined the Columbia County
Chamber, and attracted leaders in the
business world for projects and
volunteering. Because of this support
we hve been able to add so much
improvement to the property little capital
investment, mostly in-kind donations.
The future looks very bright here…and
we are very grateful.
Melissa Zdziarski
Cliff Zucker
**If you have made a donation and your name is not listed, we apologize for
the error. Any omission is purely accidental. We appreciate every donation
and couldn’t function without your support and generosity.
476 North Greenbush Rd. #9, Rensselaer, NY 12144 Phone: 518.598.1279
Email: info@stride.org Website: www.stride.org