FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact Information:
Karl Stone: 800-887-5464 x202
Alice Pearce: 800-887-5464 x203
Email: media@SkiNH.com
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SKI NH CONTRIBUTES MORE THAN $10,000 TO MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
Proceeds from Snowsports Passport sales during past four winters top $23K

NORTH WOODSTOCK, NH, NOVEMBER 2009 - Ski New Hampshire, the statewide association representing 36 alpine and cross country resorts around the state, adopted the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Hampshire as its official charity four years ago.  As part of this partnership, $5 from every Ski NH 5th grade Snowsports Passport is donated to Make-A-Wish.  On November 19, 2009, at Ski NH's annual Boston media reception, Ski NH presented the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Hampshire with a check for $10,125 from the sales of Snowsports Passports during the 2008/09 winter season.  When combined with donations from the previous three seasons, Ski NH and families of fifth graders have donated more than $23,000.

The mission of Make-A-Wish Foundation is to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.  These donations, in addition to special fundraiser events hosted by many Ski NH resorts, assist Make-A-Wish in achieving its goals.  More than 850 children battling life-threatening medical conditions across New Hampshire have experienced their dreams come true through the efforts of Make-A-Wish.  "The support of organizations such as Ski NH and its member ski areas are vital in our efforts to bring smiles to as many children as possible," states Julie Baron, Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Hampshire Chief Executive Officer.

Ski NH's fifth grade Snowsports Passport program offers a book of lift ticket vouchers.  The book consists of one, two, or three lift tickets or trail passes to each of the 36 member resorts of Ski NH, as well as savings on lift tickets and trail passes for parents and siblings, rental packages, lessons and more.  To receive a 5th grade passport, families complete an application available on SkiNH.com and forward it along with a copy of their fifth grader's report card.  The 5th grade book costs $20 (to support administrative costs), with $5 donated to the Make-a-Wish Foundation of New Hampshire. 

To learn more about Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Hampshire and what you can do to support its efforts, visit www.newhampshire.wish.org.  To learn more about the Ski NH Snowsport Passport and other ski programs for kids, visit www.SkiNH.com.

Ski NH is the statewide association representing 36 alpine and cross country resorts and more than 200 lodging and guest service properties in New Hampshire.  For more information on ski areas, lodging packages, and updated winter events at Ski NH resorts, call Ski NH at (800) 88-SKI-NH (800-887-5464) or visit the Ski NH website at www.SkiNH.com.  For statewide media relations assistance, visit the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism's media room at http://visitnh.gov/media/ or contact Mr. Tai Freligh at 603-271-2343, option #2.

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