High Fives Foundation raised over $10,000 at the annual Fishlanthropy dinner event in Stowe, VT
Local celebrities and community members came together to support athletes with life-altering injuries
On Friday, October 16, 2015, the High Fives Foundation returned to Sushi Yoshi of Stowe for the 2nd annual Fishlanthropy For Fives event. The event raised over $10,000 using an unusual fundraising format for a charity dinner. All patrons of the event were served their selections from the regular sushi menu. Local Vermont celebrities acted as the wait staff, taking orders and bringing out the food. All tips and 25% of the overall sales were donated back to the High Fives Foundation. Other funds were raised in a fortune cookie raffle and another game called ‘bobbing for ducks.’
The event benefitted the High Fives Foundation, a non-profit in mountain action sports that gives grant funding and resources to mountain sports athletes who have sustained life-altering injuries such as spinal cord or brain injuries. They also raise injury prevention awareness for young mountain sports athletes.
“This was so fun and so successful,” said Nate Freund, owner of Sushi Yoshi. “Last year we raised about $8,000. This year we blew that out of the water with ease, and it was a great time.”
“I love going back to my home state of Vermont,” said Roy Tuscany, Executive Director of the High Fives Foundation. “This community knows how to put the ‘fun’ in fundraising. They are so passionate about supporting good causes. Money raised will positively impact injured athletes in Vermont and across the country. We are already looking forward to next year.”
Tuscany, 34, is a native of Waterbury, VT. He suffered a spinal cord injury in 2006 while aspiring to become a professional skier. Communities in Vermont and California raised money for his recovery, catalyzing the creation of his non-profit, The High Fives Foundation. Since 2009, High Fives has given grant funding for the recoveries of 89 athletes in 20 different states.
The High Fives Foundation donated $1,000 of the overall proceeds to the Friends of Stowe Adaptive Sports, a nonprofit in Vermont that creates access to sports and recreational programs for people with disabilities.
This Fishlanthropy event was executed in collaboration with Stowe-based company, iShare Works that makes promotional materials for for-profit companies, with 10% of their sales going back to charities like the High Fives Foundation and others.
Included in the list of celebrities were:
John and Jen Kimmich – Alchemist Brewery
Ric Cabot – Darn Tough Socks
John Egan – Local Ski Legend
Ian Compton – Profesional Skier
Mike Carey – Stowe Legend
Corinne Prevot – Skida
Jesse Murphy – Vermont North Pro Team
In the days surrounding the event, the High Fives Foundation traveled around the state of Vermont giving presentations about mountain safety at school assemblies. They presented their newest documentary called “CHOICES.” The educational film is available at Basic.highfivesfoundation.org
This Fishlanthropy event is a collaboration between the High Fives Foundation, Sushi Yoshi, iShare Works, The Alchemist Brewing Company, and Vermont North Ski Shop.
