February 5, 2020

Michigan ski industry and YMCA of Greater Flint team up with Share Winter Foundation to bring Flint kids to Mt. Holly’s slopes

Clarkston, MI (February 5, 2020) – The Michigan Snowsports Industries Association (MSIA) has teamed up with Share Winter Foundation (Share Winter) to bring 40 kids from the YMCA of Greater Flint out to Mt. Holly in Holly for four ski trips this February.  The kids, ages 7 to 17, will receive lessons, lift tickets and rental equipment (including helmets) at Mt. Holly on February 13, 20, 27 and March 5.  In addition, they will be provided with ski parkas, pants, gloves, socks and goggles for the four trips.

“This is a huge undertaking and requires a great deal of coordination with all parties involved,” said Mickey MacWilliams, executive director of MSIA. “Due to the cost of trips like this, we never thought this would be possible.  Share Winter changed all that,” she added.

Share Winter is a grant-making organization working to improve the lives, health, and fitness of youth through winter sports, working with carefully selected grantees to build efficient, effective, sustainable winter sports programs.

“Through our partnerships, we strive to make winter sports accessible to a broader, more diverse community, and share winter with 100,000 youth by 2028,” said Constance Beverly, Share Winter CEO. “This year alone, Share Winter will fund over 45,000 youth in programs across the country, fueling the next generation of winter sports participants and enthusiasts,” she added.

Share Winter provided a grant to the YMCA of Greater Flint to cover costs for these upcoming trips, while MSIA kicked in additional funding and Mt. Holly stepped in to provide the lessons and lift tickets at a substantially reduced rate.  Altogether, enough money was raised to make the trips happen.

“We are so pleased that the youth from Y Safe Places can participate in this program, which compliments the Y’s focus on youth development and healthy living. Working with these partners has ensured our kids have zero barriers to enjoying the best winter sport that Michigan has to offer,” said Shelly Hilton, CEO of the YMCA of Greater Flint.

“Skiing and snowboarding are great activities to get outside, exercise and experience Michigan’s winter.  This is a pilot program and we hope to grow this partnership and the opportunities it provides to Michigan kids, especially those in urban areas,” MacWilliams noted.

Mark Tibbitts, general manager of Mt. Holly, said that he is both excited and honored to be an integral part of this program. “For years we have worked with various school systems to introduce students to skiing but we have never been able to offer something like this,” said Tibbitts.  “We are grateful for Share Winter and the opportunities this provides to the youth of Flint.”

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The Michigan Snowsports Industries Association was formed in 1990 to speak with one voice for the state’s ski industry, increase awareness of snowsports and introduce new individuals to skiing and snowboarding in Michigan.

Note to the Media:  If you would like to cover this event, the YMCA of Greater Flint bus should arrive at Mt. Holly at approximately 5:00 – 5:15 p.m. each of the scheduled dates.