By Charlie Taber
What’s a loppet you say? I thought you’d never ask. A loppet is a gathering of skiers and snowshoers of all ages who cross country ski or snowshoe on specifically groomed trails. On February 11 the Eastman Cross Country Center will hold its first loppet with the proceeds to benefit David’s House.
Participants can choose to ski or snowshoe as far and as long as they want. Road crossings will be snow-covered and manned by our great volunteers, so you won’t have to worry about taking off your skis when crossing roadways. Ski and snowshoe loops have been designed to accommodate all abilities with distances beginning at 2.5K for skiers and 2.2K for snowshoers. Upon finishing, you will be rewarded with a homemade “Troll House Cookie” and given an official loppet cowbell to help ring in others as they finish. Move inside to the Draper Room when you are ready and be part of the celebration with great food, drink, awards and music.
Participants are asked to raise a minimum pledge amount to participate: adults $75, kids $25 and families $125. There will be additional awards and incentives for those who raise at least $250 in pledges. The loppet is not a race; participants ski/snowshoe at their own pace and can start anytime in between 9 a.m. and noon in order to enjoy the scenery and camaraderie of friends and family.
How often have you heard the statement, “This is something you read or hear about, but I never thought it could happen to me,” when an individual or family is dealing with an unexpected medical issue? What if that unexpected medical issue involves a child or grandchild? These are circumstances for which no one is ever prepared and which can be overwhelming. Healthcare costs can place an unanticipated financial burden on a family. Being close by a child becomes a priority, and such questions as “Where will I stay?” and “How will I face the unexpected daily issues that now confront me and my family?” arise. For parents and families of children receiving treatment at the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth (CHaD), David’s House is available to help fulfill those needs.
David’s House is located adjacent to the campus of the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon where Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth is also located. However, David’s House is a separate entity and receives no funding from DHMC, CHaD or their affiliates. Maintaining and operating David’s House is covered primarily by donation (95%) with the remainder collected from user fees. Since its inception in 1986 David’s House has served as a home-away-from home for over 11, 000 families. As long as there is space, no family has ever been turned away because of an inability to pay. Supporters of David’s House realize how important a role this establishment plays for these families and continue to offer fundraising opportunities. Eastman has long been a faithful supporter of David’s House, and this winter will be no different with the return of the Chili Cook-Off on January 28 in addition to the Eastman Loppet for David’s House on February 11.
Winter is definitely here and it won’t be going anywhere for a while, so why not get outside, enjoy it and feel good about supporting David’s House. Check out the event website at www.davids-house.org/loppet for more information and to register. Perhaps you want to support David’s House but feel the ski/snowshoe is not for you? We still need volunteers that day to help with the event, both inside and out, or if you want to make a tax-deductible donation to David’s House you can pledge support to any of our participating skiers/snowshoers. Simply make your check out to David’s House and drop it by the Recreation Office at the South Cove Activity Center.
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