PRESS RELEASE August 1, 2017
Contact: Elizabeth Gertz Looze | Phone: 231.582.1186
A bike ride along one of the beautiful trails or a kayaking excursion on a pristine lake are recreational activities enjoyed by many in northern Michigan, but opportunities to participate in recreational activities are not something that is readily available for our friends, neighbors and visitors living with disabilities. Thanks to the generosity of local businesses, organizations and foundations, Challenge Mountain can offer more opportunities for individuals living with disabilities to experience life and adventure.
In support of its recreational programming, Challenge Mountain (CM) recently purchased a truck from Bob Mathers Ford in Boyne City. The multipurpose truck is critical to transporting equipment to the various bike trailheads and boat landings in Emmet and Charlevoix counties. Each year, Challenge Mountain provides more than 1,800 individual recreational experiences to individuals living with disabilities and their families. Ninety percent of our participants come from Charlevoix and Emmet counties.
“The new truck is so important to providing opportunities for individuals living with disabilities to experience life and adventure on bike trails and lakes in northern Michigan. Without a reliable truck to transport a trailer of bikes or the pontoon boat and kayaks, Challenge Mountain would not be able to offer the variety of recreational activities at sites throughout northern Michigan,” according to CM Program Director Linda Winn-Armstrong.
The purchase of the truck was made possible through support from the Charlevoix County Community Foundation, the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation, the Great Lakes Energy People Fund, Petoskey Rotary Club Charities, Boyne Valley Lions Club and Bob Mathers Ford. “The generosity of our local community made it possible for Challenge Mountain to afford the purchase of this new vehicle. We look forward to utilizing the truck for many years to come,” commented CM Board President Bill Aten.
Challenge Mountain was established in 1984 as a non-profit organization and it continues to enrich lives and empower individuals living with disabilities through year-round adaptive recreation. Executive Director Elizabeth Gertz Looze explains, “At Challenge Mountain we believe that all people, regardless of ability, should have opportunities to experience life and adventure, and in doing so realize their personal value, strengths and abilities. The challenges faced and support discovered in these experiences help people become stronger individuals and community members. This gift is a wonderful example of how Great Things Happen Together at Challenge Mountain!”
To learn more about Challenge Mountain or to get involved, contact Executive Director, Elizabeth Gertz Looze at director@challengemtn.org or call 231-582-1186.