GOLF ADDED TO EVENT THAT SUPPORTS ADAPTIVE SPORTS AND SKI RACING SAFETY
Participants in the 13th annual Kelly Brush Ride powered by VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations can opt to participate via pedal strokes and golf strokes this year. The state’s largest charity ride, scheduled for September 8, is offering a golf option for the first time.
“The Kelly Brush Ride start and finish is next to the Ralph Myhre Golf Course at Middlebury College, and many of our participants play a round the day before or go out after the ride. We thought ‘Why not make it an official part of the event?’” said Zeke Davisson, executive director of the Kelly Brush Foundation. “Kelly and her family are avid golfers and the foundation has given grants for adaptive golf equipment, so it seemed like a natural fit.”
The event raises funds for the foundation’s Active Fund, which provides grants for the purchase of adaptive sports equipment for people with spinal cord injuries. The ride also supports the foundation’s ski racing safety program.
The Active Fund has awarded more than 650 grants in 47 states. The foundation has also awarded more than 150 grants to improve ski racing safety in every state with alpine racing venues and funded more than 15 miles of safety “B” netting to make courses safer.
Timo Shaw, president of title sponsor VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations, is looking forward to this year’s event.
“We feel strongly about the work done at Kelly Brush Foundation, and have been title sponsor of the ride for seven years,” said Shaw. “It is very special to see over 800 bicyclists, handcyclists, families, ski teams and community members all coming together to get outside and support a great cause.”
Participants can register online through Thursday, Sept. 6 or in person at the event to ride 100, 50, 20 or 10 miles, and/or sign up for a tee time.
The ride that rolls through the Champlain Valley was voted “Best Century Ride” by Vermont Sports magazine in March 2018. In addition to offering golf for the first time this year, the event will feature a beer tent serving locally brewed Switchback.
The Kelly Brush Ride powered by VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations is made possible thanks to the generosity of many participants, volunteers and sponsors including: VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations, Key Bank, Sugarbush, Shearer Audi, Murphy Realty Company, Aerie Consulting, Nokian Tires, Catamount Financial Partners, World Cup Supply, our hosts on the Middlebury Ski Team and more than 30 other generous sponsors.
About Kelly Brush Foundation
The Kelly Brush Foundation is a dynamic and growing Burlington, Vermont-based non-profit inspiring and empowering people with spinal cord injuries to be active and working closely with the alpine ski racing community to improve safety. The Kelly Brush Foundation was founded in 2006 by Kelly and her family after Kelly sustained a spinal cord injury while racing in an NCAA alpine ski race. To date the Kelly Brush Foundation has awarded more than 650 adaptive equipment grants to people in 47 states.
Handcyclists, led by Kelly Brush, at the start of the 11th Annual Kelly Brush Ride powered by VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations on 9-10-16 in Middlebury, Vermont. The annual ride through the Champlain Valley drew more than 700 cyclists and 30 handcyclists and raised more than $400,000 for adaptive sports and ski racing safety. (Image: Caleb Kenna)
11th Annual Event Supports Adaptive Sports, Ski Racing Safety
SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. (Sept. 15, 2016)—Fundraising for the 11th Annual Kelly Brush Ride powered by VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations surpassed $400,000. The ride supports the Kelly Brush Foundation’s mission to empower those living with paralysis through sport and recreation and to improve ski racing safety.
More than 700 cyclists and 30 handcyclists, along with more than 100 volunteers participated in the event that was held on September 10 in Middlebury, Vermont. The total amount raised was $425,000.
“This year’s Kelly Brush Ride was a huge success both in how much fun was had by all riders and the record amount we raised to enable the Kelly Brush Foundation to do even more to improve the quality of life for those with paralysis and allow us to continue to raise the bar when it comes to safety in ski racing, “ said Zeke Davisson, executive director of the Kelly Brush Foundation.
Cyclists rolling in Middlebury, Vermont, on the 11th Annual Kelly Brush Ride powered by VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations on 9-10-16. The annual ride, which starts and finishes in Middlebury and winds through the Champlain Valley, drew more than 700 cyclists and 30 handcyclists. The event raised more than $400,000 for adaptive sports and ski racing safety. (Image: Caleb Kenna)
The ride was made even more inspiring by the impressive effort of handcyclists Geoff Krill of Woodstock, New Hampshire, and Mike Wade of Silver Lake, New Hampshire, who completed the entire 100-mile route.
Funds raised from the event go towards improving the quality of life for those with paralysis through grants for adaptive sports gear and helps to improve ski racing safety with equipment such as netting to line race courses. With the ride as its signature fundraising event, the Kelly Brush Foundation has raised more than $3 million, purchased more than 300 pieces of adaptive sports equipment and helped keep thousands of ski racers safe with hundreds of miles of safety netting, trail widening projects and awareness about ski racing safety.
The ride was started by the Middlebury College Ski Team in 2006 as a way to buy an adaptive monoski and handcycle for team member Kelly Brush, who was paralyzed as the result of a ski racing crash. The next year the ride was opened to the public, with proceeds used to support the foundation’s mission. The Kelly Brush Ride powered by VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations is made possible thanks to the generosity of many participants, volunteers and sponsors including: VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations, Shearer Audi, Sugarbush Resort, SkiRack, Saatchi & Saatchi, World Cup Supply, Murphy Realty Company and many other generous sponsors.
About the Kelly Brush Foundation: The Kelly Brush Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated empowering those with paralysis through ownership of adaptive sports equipment and improving safety in the sport of ski racing. The foundation has raised more than $3 million, helping to purchase more than 300 pieces of adaptive sports equipment and keep thousands of ski racers safe with hundreds of miles of safety netting, trail widening projects and awareness about ski racing safety. Kelly Brush, together with her family, started the foundation in 2006 after she sustained a severe spinal cord injury while racing in NCAA Div. 1 competition as a member of the Middlebury College Ski Team in Vermont. The Kelly Brush Foundation affirms Kelly’s ongoing commitment to live life on her own terms and better the lives of others living with paralysis. www.kellybrushfoundation.org
About VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations: VBT offers deluxe, small group bicycling and walking tours worldwide, including destinations throughout Europe, Costa Rica, New Zealand, Vietnam, Peru, Chile, South Africa and the United States. Each trip includes all accommodations, many meals, two expert local Trip Leaders, unique sightseeing and cultural activities and on-tour vehicle support. Unlike other companies, VBT also includes roundtrip international airfare from over 30 U.S. cities and select Canadian cities for all overseas vacations. In 2015, VBT was rated by the readers of Travel + Leisure magazine among the “World’s Best Tour Operators” for the sixth consecutive year.
Kelly Brush Davisson leads the start of the 2012 Kelly Brush Century Ride powered by VBT Bicycle and Walking Vacations in Middlebury, Vt. Now in its eighth year, the ride has raised over $1 million for adaptive athletes and ski racing safety. (Photo: Rajan Chawla Photography)
Paralympic medalist to join the ride
BURLINGTON, Vt. (September 3, 2013) Vermont’s largest charity ride, the Kelly Brush Century Ride powered by VBT Bicycle and Walking Vacations, is set to roll on Saturday in Middlebury, Vt. Over 700 cyclists and handcyclists are expected to spin through the scenic Champlain Valley raising funds for adaptive athletes and ski racing safety.
Chris Waddell, former U.S. Adaptive Team member and the most decorated male skier in Paralympic history, ski racing. Waddell plans to join Vermont’s largest charity ride, the Kelly Brush Century Ride powered by VBT Bicycle and Walking Vacations, on September 7 in Middlebury, Vt. (Credit: Adam Pretty/Getty Images)
Among the riders will be 13-time Paralympic medalist Chris Waddell. He is the most decorated male skier in Paralympian in history and one of an elite group to have medaled in both summer and winter games.
Now in its eighth year, the Kelly Brush Century Ride Powered by VBT Bicycle and Walking Vacations has raised over $1 million for adaptive athletes and ski racing safety. In addition to drawing more bicyclists than any other charity ride in the state, the event is the region’s largest for adaptive athletes using handcycles with more than two dozen participants taking to the course last year.
“For the Kelly Brush Foundation the century ride is where the rubber meets the road,” said Charlie Brush, foundation president. “Participants in the ride have raised over $1 million empowering the foundation to make a positive difference in the quality of life for adaptive athletes living with Spinal Cord Injury and helping to change the paradigm when it comes to ski racing safety.”
Funds raised through the ride support the Kelly Brush Foundation’s mission to conquer the challenges of paralysis through love of sport by helping athletes with spinal cord injuries purchase specialized sports equipment. The foundation has awarded grants for adaptive gear for skiing, cycling, bowling, rowing and even horse carriage racing.
Waddell, who started his own foundation, One Revolution, to change perceptions of the disabled, said joining the Kelly Brush ride was a great way to show his support for the Kelly Brush Foundation’s work.
“I am 100 percent behind the Kelly Brush Foundation’s mission to provide specialized gear to adaptive athletes and improve ski racing safety. I know first hand the beneficial role sports play for those living with spinal cord injury. As a former competitive skier, I’m proud to be associated with an organization that has done so much to raise awareness about and improve ski racing safety,” Waddell said.
Last year, 650 riders participated, supported by 100 volunteers, raising over $250,000 for the Kelly Brush Foundation. Participants in the Kelly Brush Century Ride have helped the foundation award over 60 grants for adaptive equipment and put over 400 miles of safety netting onto race courses across the country.
The scenic ride over gently rolling terrain in the Champlain Valley offers several distance options: 25, 50 or 100 miles, with options to ride 65 or 85 miles. In addition to members of the Middlebury College Ski Team, the ride has seen strong participation from area ski academies, including Green Mountain Valley School, Burke Mountain Academy and Stratton Mountain School. Riders and teams of riders compete to raise the most money with riders earning Patagonia clothing by reaching fundraising milestones.
Online registration for the event closes on Sept. 4 at midnight. Day-of-ride registration is available. Registration is online at: www.kellybrushfoundation.org
The ride was started by the Middlebury College Ski Team as a way to raise money to buy an adaptive mono-ski for team member Kelly Brush Davisson, who was paralyzed as the result of a ski racing crash. Brush and her family later founded a nonprofit, and the ride was opened to the public.
The Kelly Brush Century Ride powered by VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations is made possible thanks to the generosity of participants and sponsors including: VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations, Shearer Audi, Sugarbush Resort, KeyBank, Saatchi & Saatchi, World Cup Supply and others.
About the Kelly Brush Foundation:The Kelly Brush Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving ski racing safety, enhancing the quality of life for those with spinal cord injury(SCI) through providing adaptive sports equipment, advancing scientific research on SCI and supporting the U.S. Adaptive Ski Team. The foundation has raised over $1 million and assisted in procuring over 400 miles of safety netting and other safety equipment for ski racing organizations as well as launched a successful public awareness campaign about ski racing safety. The foundation has also purchased over 60 pieces of adaptive equipment for paralyzed individuals, getting them back into the sports they love. Kelly Brush Davisson, together with her family, started the foundation in 2006 after she sustained a severe spinal cord injury while racing in NCAA Div. 1 competition as a member of the Middlebury College Ski Team in Vermont. The Kelly Brush Foundation affirms Kelly’s ongoing commitment to live life on her own terms and better the lives of others living with SCI. www.kellybrushfoundation.org
About VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations:Founded in 1971 by a Middlebury College professor, VBT offers deluxe, small group bicycling, walking and cross-country skiing tours worldwide, including destinations in Europe, Costa Rica, New Zealand, Vietnam, Thailand, Peru, Argentina, Canada and the U.S.A. Each trip includes all accommodations, many meals, two expert local Trip Leaders, unique sightseeing and cultural activities, and full vehicle support. Unlike other companies, VBT also includes international airfare in its trip cost. www.vbt.com.
About One Revolution:Paralyzed in 1988 while a member of the Middlebury College Ski Team, Chris Waddell went on to become one of the most decorated Paralympic athletes, earning 13 medals over seven games. He won World Championships in skiing and wheelchair racing. Compelled to change the way that others perceive those with disabilities, Waddell founded One Revolution Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to change the way that the world sees people with disabilities by demonstrating the common journey of challenge. www.one-revolution.org
KELLY BRUSH CENTURY RIDE READY TO ROLL SEPTEMBER 8
RIDERS SUPPORT ADAPTIVE SPORTS, SPINAL CORD INJURY PREVENTION
Kelly Brush at the start of last year’s Kelly Brush Century Ride powered by VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations. Now in its seventh year, the charity ride is the largest of its type in Vermont with over 700 bicyclists and two dozen handcyclists participating. This year’s ride is Sept. 8 in Middlebury, Vt.
BURLINGTON, Vt. (Aug. 22, 2012) — Vermont’s largest charity bike ride, the Kelly Brush Century Ride powered by VBT Bicycle and Walking Vacations, rolls on Sept. 8 in Middlebury Vt. The seventh annual ride benefits adaptive athletes and supports spinal cord injury prevention.
In addition to being the largest ride of its type in the state, the event is one of New England’s largest for adaptive athletes using handcycles. Bicyclists and handcyclists who participate raise funds to help adaptive athletes with spinal cord injuries experience the benefits of sports. The ride has funded grants for adaptive equipment for skiing, cycling, bowling, rowing and even scuba diving.
“Kelly Brush Century Ride participants have made it possible for the Kelly Brush Foundation to purchase over 40 pieces of adaptive athletic equipment for adaptive athletes with financial limitations,” said Kelly Brush Foundation President Charlie Brush.
“While each piece of equipment ranges from $3,500 to $6,000, the quality of life improvement for the athletes is immeasurable.”
Last year, over 700 riders and 24 handcyclists raised more than $275,000 for the Kelly Brush Foundation.
The ride also supports the foundation’s mission to improve ski racing safety. Funds raised by riders have helped the foundation purchase over 400 miles of safety netting for ski race courses across the country and have supported a national campaign to improve race course safety.
The scenic route through the Champlain Valley starts at Middlebury College and heads along the lake, winding through Charlotte and Shelburne before looping back.
Riders can chose to ride 25, 50 or 100 mile routes. New for this year is a 25-mile loop. Previous years’ 25-mile course was a point-to-point ride that required a shuttle back to the start. Also new this year, riders earn Patagonia clothing by reaching fundraising milestones.
The ride features five fully stocked water/fuel stops including food from sponsors Hammer Nutrition and Brueggers Bagels. Riders also enjoy a post-ride BBQ and raffle.
The ride was started by the Middlebury College Ski Team as a way to raise money to buy an adaptive mono-ski for team member Kelly Brush, who was paralyzed as the result of a ski racing crash. Brush and her family later founded a non-profit, and the ride was opened to the public.
In addition to members of the Middlebury College Ski Team, the ride sees strong participation from area ski academies, including Green Mountain Valley School and Stratton Mountain School.
Online registration is open through midnight Wednesday, Sept. 5. Day of event registration is also available. To register online visit: www.kellybrushfoundation.org
The Kelly Brush Century Ride powered by VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations is made possible thanks to the generosity of participants and sponsors including: VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations, Shearer Audi, Sugarbush Resort, KeyBank, Saatchi & Saatchi, World Cup Supply and others.
About the foundation: The Kelly Brush Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving ski racing safety, enhancing the quality of life for those with spinal cord injury(SCI) through providing adaptive sports equipment, advancing scientific research on SCI and supporting the U.S. Adaptive Ski Team. Kelly Brush, together with her family, started the foundation in 2006 after she sustained a severe spinal cord injury while racing in NCAA Div. 1 competition as a member of the Middlebury College Ski Team in Vermont. The Kelly Brush Foundation affirms Kelly’s ongoing commitment to live life on her own terms and better the lives of others living with SCI.
Kelly Brush Foundation grants assist adaptive athletes in purchasing sports gear including monoskis and handcycles. In this image adaptive athlete Chris Jefferson of Aspen, Colo. competes at Copper Mountain in Colorado in December. Photo courtesy Kelly Brush Foundation.
Press release
SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. – The Kelly Brush Foundation awarded $100,514 in grants for spinal cord injury prevention at the end of 2011 enriching the lives of those with spinal cord injuries and furthering the foundation’s mission to improve ski racing safety, Kelly Brush Foundation President Charlie Brush announced.
The foundation granted $53,442 in Ski Racing Safety Grants to ski clubs and race teams across the country, including two grants to Vermont organizations. In addition, the Kelly Brush Individual Grant Program awarded $47,072 for adaptive athletic equipment, including a grant to a South Burlington adaptive athlete.
“Raising the bar for ski racing safety is part of the Kelly Brush Foundation’s core mission. This round of Ski Racing Safety Grants supports clubs and race teams from Maine to Idaho in their efforts to make the safety of their athletes a priority and to change the paradigm for both ski racing and training,” Brush said.
Ski Racing Safety Grants assist racing organizations in purchasing equipment that enhances safety for racers including safety netting to line race courses, padding for chair lift towers and spine protectors for racers. Fifteen clubs and organizations received Ski Racing Safety Grants ranging from $500 to Monroe County Special Olympics, in Michigan to replace old and unsafe helmets to $12,500 to the United States Ski and Snowboard Association Central Region, based in Minnesota, for safety netting to bring the entire region up to full netting on all courses. Cochran’s Ski Area in Richmond, Vt. and Jay Peak Ski Club in Jay, Vt. received $3,000 each for safety equipment. The Jay Peak Ski Club will use its grant to enhance safety on the mountain’s race course.
“The Kelly Brush Foundation grant makes a huge difference to our small club,” said Brigitte Ritchie, treasurer of the Jay Peak Ski Club. “With only 36 racers in our program, finding funding is always a challenge. Safety equipment like netting to line courses and Willy Bags for chair lift towers is a significant expense. We are grateful for the foundation’s assistance in helping to make our race trail the safest we can for our athletes.”
The foundation also announced the awarding of 13 Kelly Brush Individual Grants for adaptive athletic equipment. Individuals from across the United States who are living with SCI received financial assistance with purchasing equipment including monoskis and handcycles. Among the recipients was South Burlington adaptive athlete Jeremy Shortsleeve who is a three-time winner of the Keybank Vermont City Marathon and holds the course record in the handcycling division. He received $3,000 for handcycling equipment.
“Enriching the lives of those with spinal cord injury through adaptive sports and recreation is a key goal of the Kelly Brush Foundation. Specialized adaptive equipment, often customized for the individual athlete, can be cost prohibitive. Through Kelly Brush Individual Grants, the foundation aims to remove financial barriers to participation in adaptive sports,” Brush said.
The Kelly Brush Foundation annual grants are made possible by the foundation’s primary fund-raising event, the Kelly Brush Century Ride, which is held annually in September in Middlebury, Vt. and hosted by the Middlebury College Ski Team. This past September, 24 handcyclists and 721 cyclists rode in support of the foundation’s mission and raised more than $275,000 for the foundation’s programs including adaptive equipment grants, improving ski racing safety, advancing scientific research on SCI and supporting the U.S. Adaptive Ski Team.
About the foundation: The Kelly Brush Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving ski racing safety, enhancing the quality of life for those with spinal cord injury(SCI) through providing adaptive sports equipment, advancing scientific research on SCI and supporting the U.S. Adaptive Ski Team. Kelly Brush, together with her family, started the foundation in 2006 after she sustained a severe spinal cord injury while racing in NCAA Div. 1 competition as a member of the Middlebury College Ski Team in Vermont. The Kelly Brush Foundation affirms Kelly’s ongoing commitment to live life on her own terms and better the lives of others living with SCI. www.kellybrushfoundation.org
![](http://fasterskier.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2018/08/KBF_ride_pre010_BJ.jpg")
![Handcyclists, led by Kelly Brush, at the start of the 11th Annual Kelly Brush Ride powered by VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations on 9-10-16 in Middlebury, Vermont. The annual ride through the Champlain Valley drew more than 700 cyclists and 30 handcyclists and raised more than $400,000 for adaptive sports and ski racing safety. (Image: Caleb Kenna)](http://fasterskier.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2016/09/20160910_vtkellybrushride-108-4x6-1.jpg")
![Cyclists rolling in Middlebury, Vermont, on the 11th Annual Kelly Brush Ride powered by VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations on 9-10-16. The annual ride, which starts and finishes in Middlebury and winds through the Champlain Valley, drew more than 700 cyclists and 30 handcyclists. The event raised more than $400,000 for adaptive sports and ski racing safety. (Image: Caleb Kenna)](http://fasterskier.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2016/09/20160910_vtkellybrushride-70-4x6.jpg")
![Kelly Brush Davisson leads the start of the 2012 Kelly Brush Century Ride powered by VBT Bicycle and Walking Vacations in Middlebury, Vt. Now in its eighth year, the ride has raised over $1 million for adaptive athletes and ski racing safety.(Photo by Rajan Chawla Photography)](http://fasterskier.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2013/09/Ride_start_2012_for_2013release.jpg")
![Thirteen-time Paralympic medalist Chris Waddell is the most decorated male skier in Paralympian in history and one of an elite group to have medaled in both summer and winter games.](http://fasterskier.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2013/09/Waddell_handcycle.jpeg")
![](http://images.fasterskier.com/2012/08/KBF_start20114x6_300dpi.jpeg" "Kelly Brush Century Ride")
![Kelly Brush Foundation](http://images.fasterskier.com/2012/01/ChrisJefferson_NorAm-2011.jpg" "Chris Jefferson, NorAm 2011, adaptive downhill")