- Winter Empowerment Fund
The High Fives Foundation – Winter Empowerment program service disburses board approved grants to disabled winter action sports athletes participating in winter adaptive sports or athletes recovering from a life-altering injury. In November, the Foundation’s Board of Directors Grant Selection Committee approved the following grants for two athletes totaling $3,045.00. One of these athletes has previously been awarded grants through the Winter Empowerment Fund while one new athlete has been welcomed into the High Fives Foundation Family.
To date, the Winter Empowerment Fund has assisted 52 athletes from 17 states in nine respective funding categories which include: living expenses, insurance, travel, health, healing network, adaptive equipment, winter equipment, programs and stoke (positive energy, outlook and attitude). In 2013 the High Fives Foundation set a budget of disbursing $180,000.00 via board-approved grants through the Winter Empowerment Fund. With these two grants the High Fives Foundation has surpassed the goal of $180,000.00 disbursed this year. In 2013 alone, a total of 31 High Fives Athletes were awarded 37 grants.
The following athletes have been awarded grants via the Winter Empowerment Fund in November:
MAXWELL ELLES | BRIDGEWATER CORNERS, VT
On December 27, 2012 Max hit a hidden water bar while snowboarding at Killington Resort (VT). Immediately, the promising young snowboarder knew his back was broken. He then spent the next 43 days in two hospitals, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical and Spaulding Rehab Hospital. Moving forward, Max’s goals are to regain as much strength, balance, and mobility as possible.
In 2013, the High Fives Foundation awarded Max a grant through the Winter Empowerment Fund for Personal Training, Massage and Acupuncture.
November Winter Empowerment Grant for Max Elles: $1,100.00p (Healing Network – 8 Pilates sessions with Alejandra of Body Wellness Hawaii and Bodywork with Kazuko of Body Wellness Hawaii: $1,100.00)
