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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels November 16, 2004 Mt. Ashland raises $21,000 for kids' program By Bill Choy Ashland Daily Tidings The Mt. Ashland Association recently raised more than $21,000 for disadvantaged children to hit the slopes this winter. Ty Hisatomi, development director for the Mt. Ashland Ski Area, said the "Give a Kid a Lift" campaign raised $21,170, exceeding the campaign's original goal by 42 percent. The four-week campaign ended Nov. 4. The program provides scholarships for children from 45 schools, many disadvantaged youth that would not be able to participate otherwise, Hisatomi said. The campaign will give more than 200 scholarships. Each season, Mt. Ashland hosts more than 2,500 students in the Mt. Ashland after-school ski and snowboard program from both Jackson and Josephine Counties. Normally, the program would cost more than $100. "We were already doing the after-school program and we realized there was a greater need to offer the program," Hisatomi said. "We know there's kids that have expressed interest that are disadvantaged and never thought they could afford to ski or snowboard. There's a lot of kids in our Valley that have never been to Mt. Ashland before, and we felt it was an important thing to provide." Volunteer campaigners contacted businesses and individuals to raise money and awareness of the program, which is conducted in partnership with area schools and is also intended to enhance attendance and citizenship in schools. At Ashland Middle School, about 200 students participate in the Campus Life Ashland after-school ski program, said Dan Shulters, program coordinator at the middle school. The program is also at Ashland elementary schools as well. While the program tries to accommodate as many students as possible with financial aid and other resources, the funds are limited. Shulters said about eight students at the middle school will be able to participate. "I think it will help us substantially," he said. "We try not to turn anyone away, but it does get pretty tight. Now, we can help kids that couldn't participate before. This is just one more way to reach out to kids and their families." Hisatomi said being able to go up to Mt. Ashland is an important opportunity for these students. "It gives them a challenge," he said. "We allow them to see things from a different perspective, instead of being landlocked in the city. This experience leads to only good things. Their horizons are broadened." This week, the after-school program in Ashland is accepting applications for students to receive the scholarships. Shulters said forms can be picked up at the middle school and at any elementary school office. DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2004 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Click Here Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams