Weyerhaeuser gives $5,000 grant to DREAM summer program
DREAM Adaptive Recreation, Inc. has been awarded a $5,000 grant from The Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund to help fund the nonprofit’s Summer Water Sports Program.
The grant will be used to help defray the costs of the program, which aims to enhance the quality of life of individuals with disabilities by providing outdoor adaptive recreational opportunities.
“Industry research has shown that physical activity builds confidence, improves self-esteem and encourages independence. We are honored to receive this generous grant and excited Weyerhaeuser is supporting our desire to break down barriers and ensure community members of all abilities have access to outdoor recreation,” said DREAM Interim Executive Director Julie Tickle.
The DREAM Summer Water Sports Program takes place this week through July 13 at a private residence on Echo Lake in Bigfork. Three days of activities through Thursday is open to all individuals with disabilities and their families. Friday is reserved for military veterans with disabilities and their families.
Activities will include adaptive water skiing, wake boarding, knee boarding, tubing, paddle boarding, kayaking, boating and swimming. No previous experience is required as staff and volunteers help make this event fun and memorable.
“The mission of the Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund is to improve the quality of life in communities where Weyerhaeuser has a presence. Since 1948, the company’s philanthropy directed more than $183 million to the communities where Weyerhaeuser employees work, live and play,” explains Weyerhaeuser Montana Resource Manager Tom Ray.
Weyerhaeuser currently operates three mills in Montana: a lumber mill in Kalispell, a plywood mill in Kalispell and a medium-density fiberboard mill in Columbia Falls. There are currently over 550 people employed by Weyerhaeuser in the state of Montana.
DREAM was founded in 1985 by group of passionate Flathead residents who banded together to make outdoor activities more accessible to individuals with disabilities. Over the past 30 years the nonprofit has developed a successful adaptive ski and snowboarding program that currently provides nearly 1,000 lessons per season at Whitefish Mountain Resort. The summer water sports program began in 2009, making this the 10th year running.
To learn more about the DREAM Adaptive Summer Program and ways to become involved, contact the office at (406) 862-1817 or visit www.dreamadaptive.org.
Learn more about Weyerhaeuser at www.weyerhaeuser.com.