#HighFivesAthlete Ira Edwards gives Back to his community in Alaska

Alaskan native and High Fives Athlete Ira Edwards is giving back to his community in a big way. In 2012, with the idea of having sports accessible for all Ira Edwards began fundraising.  He started his own company, RoosterSkier Brand Beard and Mustache Product which donates sales to his cause. As of now with some help from High Fives foundation who provided poles Edwards has donated 12 adaptive Nordic Sit Skis to the school district of Anchorage which serves over 45 thousand children 

With this equipment available children with disabilities will be able to participate and enjoy the sport of nordic skiing with their friends just like everyone else, creating the foundation for not only a physically healthy lifestyle but a mentally healthy one as well. 

Giving other children the exposure to this equipment will also show them how much fun adaptive skiing can be, so that they can spread the word even further than Alaska to anyone who may have a disability that prevents them from enjoying the sport of skiing. Edwards has no plans of stopping at getting adaptive ski equipment to just the school district of Anchorage and has already begun working on getting sit skis to other school districts in Alaska.

For the last 15 years, Edwards also has helped out with Nordic skiing association of Anchorage’s event Ski 4 kids which combines obstacle courses, a mock-biathlon, fat-tire biking, and other activities for children. the events aims to help develop an appreciation of winter outdoor sports and to promote fitness for Anchorage area while raising funds for NSAA grant program which provides ski equipment to schools and youth organizations.

Thanks for being so awesome Ira!