A Benefit for the ‘Kids Escaping Drugs’ Campaign

BY ERIK SCHMITZ

   HoliMont Ski Area will host the 11th annual KED SkiScape this Sunday, January 4 to benefit the Kids Escaping Drugs Campaign.  The event will include an all-day lift ticket, meals, T-shirts for the first 300 to arrive, individual and firefighter races, workshops with USA Ski Team pros Corey Hacker and Kelly Hilliman, as well as games and auctions.  Prizes include up to $1,000 in gift certificates and are guaranteed to participants who raise between $75 and $525.

   The Kids Escaping Drugs Campaign, officially known as the Alcohol and Drug Dependency Services Foundation, raises funds for adolescent treatment facilities.  Since its founding in 1977, the organization has offered inpatient and outpatient treatment services to people in Western New York living with drug and alcohol addictions. 

   Sean Crotty, five-year volunteer, urges readers to get involved.  He was first exposed to young adults living with addiction while working in ambulance transport in Buffalo.  "These kids come from good homes with good parents and make bad decisions," he stated.  "We all know we've made bad decisions and gotten second chances," he continued.  "Some of these kids have not."

   Participants who raise a minimum of $50 in pledges can pre-register online at www.ked.org/skiscape.html.  Registration at the event begins at 8am and requires $60 in pledges.  Races will take place from 10am to 12:30pm and the auction will present prizes from 3pm to 4pm.  The slopes will remain open until 4:30pm for a full day of festivities and charity.

   Pictured: The firefighter race.