Giving Tuesday - reflections

I don't know about for all of you, but Giving Tuesday was hugely emotional and exhausting for me.  I could barely keep up with the donations rolling in - which I know means that you guys were all hard at work putting the word out and sharing your passion.  I was glued to my computer way too late last night, well past my bedtime, to continue to engage folks.  It was overwhelming to be a part of!

I want to share the number with you...so here we go...(drum roll please)...last year, we set what I thought was an 'unbeatable' daily total of just shy of $20,000 for the day.  This year, our daily total was $33,462!  Let me say that again, because it's hard to fathom - we (well, really YOU) fundraised over $33,000 in one day!  When you think about how many sit skis, or sailing lessons, or hours of training that this amount can cover and how many athletes will benefit through these funds, it is really heartwarming to think about.  Yesterday, we removed the barrier of participation for so many adaptive athletes to participate in sports.

We had a little bet going on with some of us - to see who would meet (or exceed) their Giving Tuesday goal - and Robert Gantz, Krista Alderdice and Kevin Sheedy all met their goal (so I owe you all beer!).  I was particularly impressed with Robert, who got 59 different donations - which was a total of $2,845 towards Vermont Adaptive.

I am not sure I can capture the enthusiasm of the day, so I'll just include a few quotes and reactions from those of us who were tracking this.  I think they say it all:

"It was a pretty awesome thing to go for a beautiful snow-covered run with a few friends, and then return to find over 50 more donations with over $4,000 donated in the few hours that I was gone from a computer.

It's overwhelming - with all the stuff on the news that sometimes makes me question where we are headed as a society (apparently only hearing the worst), it's days like today that remind me that people are overwhelmingly amazing and supportive.  Especially the running and ultra community - and the folks in our circle (whether runners or not) all tend to be amazing also!" - Amy R., VT100 Race Director

"I’m floored!!! Incredible!!!! So many generous folks out there who love this cause!! Melts my heart!!!" - Krista A., VT100 Committee Member

"It's a bit overwhelming but YOUR hard work and fundraising helped us reach an amazing milestone - meeting and exceeding our matching pledge. Donations continue to come in so we’re not done yet and hope to have a tally at the end of the day.

Your effort shows that people do pay attention to the season of giving and what it really means. Your commitment to our mission allows us to reach more people with our programs, regardless of their ability to pay, fund and keep current our fleet of expensive adaptive equipment, and continue to broaden our programming options with not just traditional outdoor sports and recreation, but also with our wellness and environmental programming. I can't thank you enough for your support. You all have come together as such an amazing community for the Vermont 100 and it’s awesome to see you all in action." -Erin F, Vermont Adaptive Exec. Director

"Let’s just say your peeps are killing it on social! I can’t keep up trying to engage back with them!" -Kim J., Vermont Adaptive PR Director

Please feel free to leave your reflections or comments below...as I am sure everyone is as speechless as I am about this.

-Amy R.