My daughter recently turned eleven and in lieu of gifts, once again asked her friends to give money to the organization of her choice. We have always encouraged our children to choose ways to give back to our community whether it’s volunteering or raising funds. This year the non-profit of her choice was the Dewey Mountain Lodge campaign.

Oddly enough my daughter isn’t our child that skis as part of the Dewey program. We tried her in the Nordic program, but she just enjoyed skiing the trails at her own pace. (I think it is more likely that the racing and games cut into her time on the nearby playground.) I do know she really enjoys warming up at Pisgah’s Ski Lodge so it isn’t a stretch of the imagination to believe she has visions of watching her brother race next winter from the inside of the new Dewey Lodge.

Now she, her generous friends, and their parents are giving $186.00 toward Dewey’s fundraising to ensure that Saranac Lake continues to provide four-seasons of family-fun from its Mt Pisgah downhill area to the Dewey Mountain Recreation Center.

According to Friends of Dewey Mt Chairman Chris Morris, the lodge will break ground this spring. The committee and village are currently working out code amendments, building permits as well as demolition plans for the existing buildings.

“My parents brought me here as a child and I learned to ski,” says Morris. “I was also approached by Kris Cheney-Seymour, my coach growing up, about being a volunteer coach. I found out as a volunteer I enjoyed seeing their passion for skiing grow. Since that time the program has increased from 20 to over 70 children.”

As Communication Manager for the Adirondack Foundation, Morris also implemented the online donor website, Adirondack Gives. Unlike Kickstarter, Adirondack Gives processes all funds directly to the organization. Even if the campaign doesn’t make its proposed goal, the organization still receives its funds.

“With Adirondack Gives, what you raise is what you get,” says Morris. “This is an easy way for people to see their money at work. There are a lot of people out there that visit care about the Adirondacks, but perhaps don’t have the capacity to give more. This allows for tangible giving.”

Dewey Mountain isn’t the only way to support various programs in the Adirondacks. To date there are 27 campaigns in education, environment, human wellbeing, community vitality and culture. I like the aspect of tangible giving. My daughter will be able to walk into the Dewey Lodge next winter and know that a small part of it was made possible because of her birthday gift.

Photo of Dewey Mountain donation box used with the permission of Diane Chase, Adirondack Family Time.