Posted Jan. 28, 2010

The 5th Annual Miracle on the Mountain breaks its fundraising goal

Demonstrating a continued commitment to the community, participants of the fifth annual Miracle on the Mountain charity ski event in Snowmass, Colo. raised a record-breaking $53,000 for Children’s Miracle Network and The Children’s Hospital in Denver.

The Children’s Hospital serves kids from across the Rocky Mountain region, including nine-month-old Shan Donnelly, 2010 event ambassador. When Shan was five weeks old, he developed a persistent high fever and lack of appetite. After undergoing a battery of tests at a community hospital in Aspen, Shan was transported via the Flight for Life helicopter to The Children’s Hospital in Denver. There he spent 21 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit being treated for spinal meningitis. The Donnellys attribute their son’s recovery to the world-class care he received from the doctors and nurses at The Children’s Hospital.

“It’s the life-saving stories from children like Shan that inspire retailers from across the country to travel to this event year after year,” said Vicki Peterson, owner of four Ace Hardware stores on Colorado’s western slope, and chairwoman of the Miracle on the Mountain planning committee. “The event was a huge success by all accounts, and we’re thrilled that this year’s event raised even more money than anticipated.”

Nearly one hundred members of the Ace Hardware family, representing more than 25 stores from New York, Missouri, Montana, Utah, Illinois, California and more, convened in Snowmass for the five-day event. Money was raised through vendor sponsorships, silent and live auctions, and event participation fees.

“Children’s Miracle Network is so fortunate to have the support of Ace Hardware,” said Monique Bronner, manager for Children’s Miracle Network. “It’s particularly inspiring to see such a generous outpouring of support during a challenging economy. The money raised at this event will go a long way toward making sure children in the Rocky Mountain region receive the best possible medical attention.”

The Ace group rallies behind the cause and demonstrates that “Ace is truly the place … for caring.”

Freezin for a Reason

When Woodruff, Wisc. gets cold, it gets really cold.

On Jan. 2, the temperature was a heart-stopping seven degrees Fahrenheit. But that didn’t stop Woodruff Ace Hardware, located in northern Wisconsin, from taking part in the third annual “Freezin for a Reason” fundraising event. Eligibility to participate required contestants to raise or donate at least $35 – and then jump into the freezing waters of nearby Lake Minocqua. Event founder NRG Media created the “polar bear-type plunge” as a charity fundraiser for St. Joseph Children’s Hospital in Marshfield, Wisc. And while some contestants were satisfied raising the minimum amount in order to take part, others took the challenge more seriously by raising thousands of dollars for the Children’s Miracle Network-affiliated hospital. A total of $11,024 was raised by the 52 contestants.

As an incentive to raise more money, Woodruff Ace awarded a Weber grill to the contestant with the highest pledge amount. The store then took it one step further and sold bratwursts for donations at the event and raised an additional $380 for St. Joseph Children’s Hospital.

To see more pictures from the event, go to www.wmqa.com > interact>photo gallery>3rd Annual Freezin for a Reason 2010.

Submitted by Joanne Mueller, Ace Hardware Foundation