Superior Alliance for Independent Living

Thank you for checking us out. The Upper Peninsula Superior Alliance for Independent Living is now running the program so that the love of skiing can continue. Please visit their facebook page for updates. http://www.facebook.com/SuperiorAllianceforIndependentLiving

"I ski fast!"

Participants have a blast!!!

Media Coverage for the MTU Program

Michigan Tech Lode article:
http://www.mtulode.com/news/2012/02/22/mtu-helps-with-community-ski-program/


Mining Gazette article:
http://www.mininggazette.com/page/content.detail/id/524284/Learning-to-ski.html

Help make the MTU program all year long...

Volunteers may be needed all year around at MTU. This is impressive! Super excited that there are requests to be active throughout all 4 amazing Copper Country seasons. The real goal has been embraced by the participants!!! Way to go MTU!!!

MTU Ski and Snowshoe Madness Update

Words from Karyn, the MTU Adaptive Ski Program Coordinator. "I now have 25 snowshoeing participants and 14 skiers!!! Plus 22 volunteers! My numbers for participants and volunteers have increased because of the partnership with the Copper Country Mental Health BRAVO program which is also providing the transportation."

Thank you do Blair Orr, who has made it possible for the program to expand at MTU through the use of trails, snowshoes, wax room, equipment! The MTU students who are working in the wax room have also been warm and welcoming according to Karyn. Thank you MTU students!!!!!!

More from Karyn, "We have two young skiers and we are getting the ski equipment from Cross Country Sports on a week to week basis. Cross Country Sports gives the program a discount, but new skis for the program would be helpful." Anyone interested in donating??

We had an article in the Mining Gazette and the MTU Lode. The links will be uploaded as soon as possible. Stay tuned, but hopefully you already saw them.

"We are planning on continuing every Tuesday and Thursday until the end of March - right before Spring Break. If the school's have a snow day we don't meet.

I am also planning a end of the year pizza party for the whole crew.

Also, I have several requests to continue the activities year around....so I am planning another meeting with Sarah and other people from the area. Jerry says "another iron in the fire". One of Jerry's skiers told him "I am so lucky to have such a good coach!" I think I am so lucky to have such a good husband!"

Thank you for supporting recreation for all! SAIL's Rec program made about $2800!

The Superior Alliance for Independent Living would like to announce the "Best Of" winners of the 2012 Chocolate Festival that was held Feb. 4, 2012 at the UpFront & Company in Marquette.
The Chocolate Festival is an annual fundraising event to raise awareness about the inclusive social and recreational activities for persons of all abilities through the Single Point for Activities and Recreation program.

This year, the winner of the Best Dessert and Best Customer Service awards went to the UpFront & Company. They served a pulled pork sample with chocolate and raspberry drizzle. In addition, Andrew, the Chef, served up great customer service along with his refreshing drink to complement the tasting.

The winner of the Best Dressed Table award went to Doncker’s Candies. They provided yummy sea salt caramels, chocolate covered oreos, truffles and chocolate covered pretzels.

In addition, SAIL would like to offer a huge thanks to all the featured businesses in participating in this event. These included Sayklly’s Confectionery & Gifts, DeRose Delights, Gourmet Girl Café, Sinfully Seductive Sweets, Huron Mountain Bakery, Wahlstrom’s Restaurant, Marquette Food Co-Op, Super One Foods Bakery, Econo Foods Bakery and Jilbert's Dairy.

Marquette Skiing!

Catch the energy, let's go ski!

Snow, Ski, and Smiles, again in 2012! :)

Please read about this years success below these picture posts.

From 15 minutes in 2011 to 60 minutes in 2012!

All with the help of a better fitting sit-ski! :)

New Equipment Improvement in Marquette

Kevin from creating ability helped us with making changes to one of the sit-skis to make it work for our small children. Here is a quote from Nancy, one of the wonderful people who helps with the Marquette program...

"The ski is.....Most excellent!!...Fits our preschooler perfectly - and I can also fit in the seat (but my legs are too long...). This little one went from spending a max of 10 to 15 minutes skiing last year to his first time this year staying out there for over an hour - and needing convincing it was time to get out! He skied twice the distance in one shot over what he skied all year combined last year. Of course, part of that is maturity, but also a ski that fits perfectly, is comfortable and can be used as a snowplow, ice fishing platform, tractor.... and whatever else his imagination comes up with!"

Keep up the hard work! And, if anyone is interested in joining in on the great fun, please feel free to contact us. sarahp(at)upsail.com to volunteer or sign-up to ski. Hope to see you on the trails.

MTU program explodes!

Karyn Juntunen has taken off with the program at MTU. Great Job! She partnered with Copper Country Mental Health and in Karyn's words "the program has gone wild!"

There are 10 skiers and 28 snowshoers and counting!!!!!!!! 10 coaches plus the staff from Copper Country Mental Health volunteering with the snowshoeing. The clients come with the staff -solved the transportation problem- and the staff helps! Great work everyone! Partnerships are the key to success.

One of the volunteers from MTU recruited 4 more friends and one of them works for the Outdoor adventure group at Tech (MTU) so the MTU adaptive ski program uses their equipment - ALL for FREE! THANK YOU MTU!!!

This quote from Karyn is great..."It's wild! I just stay at the barn and supervise the awesome fun the participants are having. They look forward to it every week. I had to make the snowshoe trail longer for variety. Also I had to limit them coming only one time a week because of our numbers. Can you believe it?!"

Keep up the great work, Houghton! You all ROCK! Pictures will come soon. :)

Please support us with your vote at fuelinggood.com

HELLO FRIENDS OF SUPERIOR ALLIANCE FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING (SAIL),

The good folks at CITGO are giving away $120,000 in Gas Gift Cards in 2012 for their Fueling Good Program. They'll award 24 charities throughout the year with a gift of a $5,000 Gas Card, and we're registered with the hope of being one of them.
But we need your help to win!

Just think of how much good we could bring to the Upper Peninsula every day with an entire year's supply of fuel!

Thanks for your vote!

Spread the Word! │ CITGO® Fueling Good Program
Source: fuelinggood.com

Support our charity. Vote for us to win $5,000 in gas cards from Fueling Good.

Eat Chocolate, Support Skiing! Yay!!! :-)

Supporting us is as easy as eating chocolate!

Superior Alliance for Independent Living (SAIL)
3rd Annual Chocolate Festival
February 4, 2012
UpFront & Company Banquet Room
11:30am-1:30pm
$5 per ticket, 5 and under FREE!

Our SWEET participants: Wahlstrom's, UpFront & Company, Sakylly's, Gourmet Girl Cafe, Huron Mountain Bakery, MQT Food Co-op, Sinfully Seductive Sweets, Doncker’s, DeRose Delights and Jilbert's Dairy

Attend to win door prizes including a SonicCare toothbrush, Gift cards from Aubree’s, Casa Calabria, Midtown Bakery cake, Marquette Baking Company, Border Grill and much more! Handmade silent auction items such as scarves, mittens, quilts and photos up for bid too!!

Open to all community members to support our SPAR program for people of all abilities.
Call SAIL for more information or to buy a ticket, 228-5744.

Thank you to our sponsors!!

Dental Associates
UPCAP
Jean Kay’s Pasties and Subs
Marquette Food Co-op
Friends of SAIL
New Day Treatment Center – KBIC
Chippewa Square Professional Center
Company B Graphics
UP Catholic Credit Union
The Mining Journal
Ishpeming Community Federal Credit Union
Masich Properties
Trudell Plumbing & Heating
Aubree’s Pizza
Border Grill
Casa Calabria
Superior View
Midtown Bakery
Christine Garceau Photography
Marquette Baking Company
Anonymous Crafters

Houghton needs volunteers.

Are you looking for a volunteer opportunity? Here is a great chance to help make a positive impact in someone's life, by teaching them to enjoy the great outdoors right here in your back yard. Please contact Karyn Juntunen for details at kjuntunen(at)copperisd.org or 906-281-2689.

Skiing in Houghton, Sign up is open! :-)

Please contact Karyn Juntunen at kjuntunen(at)copperisd.org or 906-281-2689 to sign up for adaptive skiing at Michigan Tech.

It’s FREE for participants at the Michigan Tech Trails in Houghton, equipment is provided and sit skis are available.

Demo Day:
Thursday, January 26th, 2012 at 4:00pm

Program Sessions:
Starting Tuesday, Jan. 31st, 2012 at 4:00pm
Every Tuesday and Thursday thereafter at 4:00pm

Our new toy!

Many changes for winter 2011-2012

With the help of Kevin from Creating Ability, we now have an adjustable child's sit ski! Thank you, Kevin!!! :)

This year there is an added $2.00 fee per session to help with the costs of putting on the ski program.

Pre-registration is REQUIRED. Please contact Sarah P. to sign up, at (906)228-5744.

There will be 2 FREE Demo Days this year, one at Al Quaal in Ishpeming, and one at Forestville Trailhead in Marquette.

Lessons will be at 2 different locations, Al Quaal and Forestville!

Thank you to everyone who helps put this program together, including the generous donation of time and funds from numerous supporters, and of course to our participants.

Happy Skiing!!!

Ski lessons start soon! Are you ready?!

Be sure to mark your calendars for this year's events. Note the schedule on our main page.