Keweenaw Report Your Source for Local News and Sports
HANCOCK, Mich., Nov. 16, 2016 – The Friends of the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park (Friends of the Porkies) received a $1,250 grant from the Portage Health Foundation (PHF) to supplement the costs of new ski helmets for youth from Houghton and Ontonagon counties during the 2016-2017 ski season.
This grant will support the Kurt Blake Helmet Fund that has provided affordable ski helmets to area youth (ages 0-18) since 2008. The program covers 50% of new ski helmet costs (up to $50 per helmet), which are purchased at the Porkies Ski Hill shop.
According to Friends of the Porkies board president, Sally Berman, “The Friends of the Porkies thank the Portage Health Foundation for providing funding that will help young skiers be safer on the slopes. The Friends greatly appreciate the generosity and support of the Portage Health Foundation.”
The Friends of the Porkies established the fund in honor of local skier, Kurt Blake, and desire that the fund provide as many helmets as possible to area youth skiers. To date, over 250 skiers have obtained helmets through the program.
“The ski helmet program is an excellent way for an organization to combine physical activity and safety in an effort to create a healthier community for its residents,” said Hilary Anderson, PHF Grants Management Coordinator. “The Portage Health Foundation is thrilled to again be partnering with the Friends of the Porkies to support this program that encourages safe, outdoor recreational activities for our area’s youth.”
For more information on the Kurt Blake Helmet Fund or on how to contribute to the fund, please contact Sally Berman, President of the Friends of the Porkies; Scott Jackson, manager of the Porcupine Mountains Ski Hill; or visit http://porkies.org/skiing-at-the-porkies/.
About the Friends of the Porkies
Friends of the Porkies is nonprofit organization that represents the interests of all users of the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. This all-volunteer organization runs a number of its own park programs in addition to providing financial support for the improvement and expansion of other park-run programs.
About the Portage Health Foundation
The Portage Health Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization that receives and contributes charitable donations, which support the health needs of the community through enhanced philanthropy and community collaboration throughout Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw, and Ontonagon counties.
