Operation Round Up grant helps fund summer ‘escape’
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Skier Mike Gibbens, right, and his side |
Tepid waters, plentiful volunteers and eager attitudes.
All these things and more contribute to the success of “Escape to the Lake” a two-day water skiing event for people with disabilities. Upon receiving the requested grants for this event, this summer marks the 13th annual water extravaganza for the North Dakota Association for the Disabled (NDAD). To help fund the fun in the sun, Capital Electric Cooperative awarded a grant to NDAD for $1,500 through its Operation Round Up program, to help cover gas, travel, food and lodging expenses.
Founded in 1975 by Ron and Faye Gibbens in support of their son, Mike, who was born with cerebral palsy, NDAD is a charitable nonprofit organization. Headquartered in Grand Forks with four statewide satellite locations, NDAD assists clients in paying for prescription medications, supplies durable medical equipment such as wheelchairs and bath benches, and helps fund medical travel.
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Justin Neis of Mandan (center) and |
“This annual event allows our clients to enjoy a sport that many people take for granted. It really improves their quality of life,” she says.
Approximately 60 people ski each summer, with the use of fitted skis and other adaptive equipment. A group from Texas Adaptive Aquatics flies from Houston to assist skiers with safety issues, and as many as 300 friends, family members and volunteers help out during the event.
Located just southeast of Center, Lake Nelson offers perfect water temperatures for skiers. Because the lake supplies cooling water for the Milton R. Young electric generating station, it discharges warm water. The lake’s temperature ranges from about 40 degrees in winter to 90 degrees in the summer.
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Skier Crawford Peltier of Mandan |
Skier Justin Neis of Mandan says the warm water makes the sport more enjoyable. He and his twin brother, Jason, have escaped to the lake for the past four summers.
“We make a lot of friends,” says Justin, who enjoys taking trips around the lake. “If we can get the money for it, we hope to go again this summer.”
The weekend of warm water, laughter and thrills comes with a steep price tag. Sheldon estimates the costs to be $40,000 per year to host the event. As an organization that relies on profits from charitable gaming, she says raising funds continues to be their biggest challenge.
“Our funding has been significantly impacted by the smoking ban in NDAD’s bingo halls. Projections for 2006 indicate we will only be able to assist 26 percent of our direct financial assistance programs provided by NDAD in comparison to 2005. However, NDAD is still able to provide information, referral, advocacy and other grant-driven programs as these services are not reliant on revenue from charitable gaming.
“The grant that Capital Electric and Operation Round Up gave NDAD shows that people in this community support Escape to the Lake and other services provided for people with disabilities. But we still need more help,” Sheldon says. “Please consider donations of money or equipment, memorial contributions or planned giving. That generosity really enhances our clients’ lives.”