Team Run 2 Empower, Vermont Adaptive VI/Blind Weekend: Huge Success!
Earlier this year, several of Vermont 100’s Team Run 2 Empower team members made a special trip to The Turtle Ridge Center at Pico Mountain for a day of adventuring on the ski slopes and out on the snowshoe trails with a group of visually impaired and blind athletes from Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports.
As one of the largest annual fundraisers for Vermont Adaptive, Vermont 100’s Team Run 2 Empower (TR2E) represents a select group of Vermont 100 runners who are committed to a minumum fundraising goal for Vermont Adaptive – and as part of the team, they get additional opportunities to directly engage in supporting Vermont Adaptive’s athletes.
Experiences like our “TR2E & VT Adaptive Visually Impaired/Blind Weekend” not only demonstrate firsthand the value of adaptive programming on the lives of Vermont Adaptive’s participants, they also teach our TR2E team members important skills like the basics of how to guide an athlete with a visual challenge through an activity. These outings also remind everyone of the difference that volunteering makes towards fulfilling Vermont Adaptive’s broader mission.
“When offered the chance to participate I jumped at [it], as I was desperate to know more about [the] organization,” said TR2E team member, Melissa Brown.
Brown continued, “A couple of things stood out: 1. The vibe from the volunteers and athletes was HIGH! Folks laughing and gearing up for a brutally cold day, welcoming old faces and making room for new. 2. the efficiency of the [Turtle Ridge Center] was unmistakeable, small but mighty – every space was a mindful working space. I peppered Jeff with ‘guiding’ questions and he quickly put me at ease giving me guiding tips and a guide bib. I watched a veteran volunteer with a student from The Perkins School for the blind and reminded myself to relax and have fun, so I did. I caught up with fellow Run 2 Empower teammates Amy, Faith, Maria and Danforth and we were pumped to go!”
“The impact it has left on me is difficult to put into words,” Brown explained. “The participants that morning were unbelievable, a variety of ages, some experienced many first timers, visually impaired and blind, independent, strong and fearless … It encouraged me to listen intently to what they might hear, choose my words carefully to guide them safely and in the right direction, and finally just slow down and pay attention. Chatting with athletes and volunteers at lunch felt like a victory lap!”
Each year, Vermont Adaptive relies heavily on donations and volunteers to keep its many programs running smoothly.
We are so proud of our Team Run 2 Empower team members who stepped up to be an integral part of this weekend’s event and we hope it encourages more folks out there to get involved.
Everyone, of every ability, deserves chances to get outdoors and to be supported outside of their comfort zone. That’s what builds confidence, character, and a better world.
Echoing the sentiments of many TR2E team members from the weekend, Brown finished by saying, “Thank you Vermont Adaptive – I plan on volunteering more as knowing these programs will be here when I need them gives me great joy.”
If you would like to become a fundraiser, support a fundraiser, or simply make a general donation to Vermont Adaptive, you can do so through our VT100 Fundraising Page.
Why Your Support Matters
Vermont Adaptive’s 2025 Impact Report
Vermont Adaptive recently released its 2025 Impact Report, demonstrating the power of what’s possible when donors, volunteers, and community partners come together to support inclusive outdoor recreation. Below are some screen grabs from the full report. You may also ACCESS THE FULL REPORT HERE.
