Hancock, MA – This Friday, STRIDE Adaptive Sports will welcome 20 Wounded Warriors and families who have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan having sustained serious permanent injuries. They will spend a three-day weekend with the STRIDE team of instructors at Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort in Hancock, Mass., learning how to adaptive ski and snowboard. The majority of the participants are from New York State with several from Fort Drum, N.Y., home of the 10th Mountain Division.nThe event begins Friday evening at 6 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn in Troy, N.Y., with a hors d’ouevres reception. The Wounded Warriors will be escorted into the ballroom by the Schenectady Pipe Band and the colors posted by the CBA Honor Guard. The evening will include a plated dinner with special entertainment provided by Theresa Sareo, a famed inspirational singer and songwriter from New York City who, as an amputee, has performed overseas for the troops. The City of Troy’s Mayor Harry Tutunjian will welcome the honored guests, and U.S. Congressman and Wounded Warrior Chris Gibson will deliver the keynote address, and will present each Wounded Warrior with a flag that has been flown over the Albany Capitol. Senator Roy McDonald will provide words of appreciation and Albany County Comptroller Michael Connors will present a check to STRIDE on behalf of the Sons of the American Legion to STRIDE for the work they have done with the local Wounded Warriors. Music will be provided by the band Spaceland to conclude the powerful and dramatic schedule.

The event is open to the Capital District community. Tickets are $35 per person, or a reserved table of 10 for $400. For more information contact the STRIDE office at (518) 598-1279

On Saturday and Sunday, the honored guests will spend their time at Jiminy Peak, participating with STRIDE instructors in this unique opportunity to learn how to ski and snowboard as put their lives back together through sports. A positive recreation experience can restore the mind, body and soul, and is a force in the rehabilitation process. STRIDE, a local non-profit has joined forces with Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project to support the cost of the event, totaling nearly $40,000 annually. All funding covers the cost of transportation, lodging, food, clothing, entertainment and gifts for the Wounded Warriors and their families and STRIDE programs.