Kelly Brush Foundation Expects
600 Bikers
by Rowan Beck,
September 9 2010, page 11.....

The Kelly Brush Foundation kicks off its fifth annual century ride on Saturday, September 11. For the past two years the ride has grown at a rate of 40% each year. This year the foundation hopes to have 600 riders, an increase of 100 over last year. What started as a simple ride to raise money for one mono-ski not only created the Kelly Brush Foundation, but, last year alone, raised $200,000. This 100-mile bike ride has become the foundation’s biggest fundraiser; other money comes from donations.
Kelly Brush, the namesake of the foundation and the ride, grew up here in Charlotte and attended Charlotte Central School. She ski raced for Green Mountain Valley School in Waitsfield and then for Middlebury College. In 2006 she suffered a serious Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) when she caught an edge, leaving her paralyzed. When she and her parents went to Craig Hospital in Colorado, her father, Charlie Brush, quickly realized that “90% of the families had no money for adaptive equipment and that families could even fall apart (due to SCI).” The Brushes knew they wanted to do something, and approximately six months later the foundation was born.
The foundation’s main goals are to raise money to purchase adaptive equipment for those with SCI, to raise awareness of and purchase equipment for ski racing safety and to support research on SCI. Eighty percent of all the funds raised go to purchasing equipment.
Charlie’s favorite part is receiving recipients’ letters and photographs. “We ask each recipient to take a picture when they receive the equipment. It’s most rewarding when you hear ‘you changed my life;’ it’s a warm fuzzy feeling.” Kelly agrees, “It makes me feel good that I‘m doing something for them.” She also enjoys giving away the equipment; she knows personally how getting back to skiing helped her.
Forrest Carey, then coach of the Middlebury College Ski Team, spearheaded the first ride in 2006. Ski team members banded together to raise money to buy Kelly a mono-ski. With very few participants, Kelly and her dad included, the team raised $65,000. It got Kelly and her family thinking about what could be if done if they opened the ride to everyone; hence the creation of the Kelly Brush Century Ride.
The first year she and her father only rode eight miles of the course, both on hand cycles. Now they are up to 28. Charlie will continue to ride with his daughter, but not on a team. She is part of “Team Ride On” with all participants on adaptive bikes. Their team captain, Patrick Standen, is president of the Northeast Disabled Athletic Association.
There are several options for the September 11 ride. Participants can do 28, 50, 65, 85 or 100 miles. This year the 65- and 85-mile options were added. “People need to be back by 5 p.m., and if they can’t make it, this provides a nice option,” according to Joyce Wallace, executive director of the foundation. The ride begins at the football field at Middlebury College, meanders along Lake Champlain and through various towns in Addison County, then goes through Charlotte on Mt. Philo Road to Shelburne and back to Middlebury. There is a 50-mile water stop in Charlotte at Chris and Nana Boffa’s house at the intersection of Spear Street and Mt. Philo Road.
As of September 2, the foundation had raised $170,705 with nine days left. Eighty percent of the money raised will go to purchasing adaptive sporting equipment with the remainder going toward ski safety and research. The top five fundraisers receive prizes. Top fundraisers are also matched directly with specific recipients. “It’s very nice that they get to know each other,” Joyce says with a smile. Last year, Fayliss Ward, a 75- year-old woman, received a mono-ski through the efforts of one person: Ruth Falk. Ruth raised $8,000 and was the highest individual fundraiser last year. Joyce added, “It’s great to see people get back to the sport they love.” Fayliss sent in a photo of herself skiing in Aspen and it hangs proudly on the wall with photos of several other recipients of adaptive equipment.
According to the BrainandSpinal Cord.org website, every year approximately 12,000 people suffer from spinal cord injuries. Adaptive equipment provided by the foundation gives SCI individuals the ability to get back on track.
Kelly Brush is an outstanding athlete and individual, and her foundation has helped many people in just over four years. The foundation has greatly improved awareness of skier safety by providing nets and other equipment; it has received grant requests from Canada to the tiniest of ski clubs in New York. Every little bit helps, so when you see all those cyclists on Saturday, September 11, give them some room – they’re raising money that will change someone’s life.