DREAM Adaptive receives Weyerhaeuser grant

DREAM Adaptive Recreation, Inc. has been awarded a $10,000 grant from The Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund to support 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.

“Weyerhaeuser has been a critical community partner for many years,” said DREAM Executive Director, Julie Tickle. “Their support allows us to serve local individuals with disabilities and provide unique and powerful outdoor experiences. It is our hope that skills learned through our programs will transfer into other areas of their lives. We are honored to receive this generous grant and excited Weyerhaeuser continues to support our desire to ensure all community members have access to the benefits of outdoor recreation.”

The DREAM Water Sports Program will take place July 9-12 at the Thompson’s private residence on Echo Lake in Bigfork. Three days of the program is open to individuals ages 5 to adults and their families, including those with physical, cognitive, developmental, intellectual and sensory impairments. One day, on July 12, is reserved for military veterans with disabilities and their family members. Activities will include water skiing, wake boarding, knee boarding, tubing, paddle boarding, kayaking, boating and swimming. No previous experience is required as staff and volunteers will be on hand to provide support and instruction.

“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,” said Weyerhaeuser Montana Resource Manager Tom Ray, in a release.

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 just under 600 people employed by Weyerhaeuser in the state of Montana.

To learn more about the DREAM Adaptive Recreation and ways to become involved, please contact the office at (406) 862-1817 or visit www.dreamadaptive.org.