Mt. Holiday announces $10,000 gift from Meijer

TRAVERSE CITY - Grand Rapids-based retailer Meijer has donated $10,000 worth of new children’s rental equipment to Mt. Holiday Ski & Recreation Area.

The donation, which provides child-sized skis and bindings, will replace equipment that is several years old, said Jeff Morrison, executive director of Mt. Holiday.

“This donation is a wonderful step in line with our mission of being an affordable place for kids to come recreate,” said Morrison. “We are grateful for Meijer’s donation and look forward to everything being put to use, especially for children who use our Tom Hall and Warren Brosch memorial skierships.”

Dedicated to keeping lift tickets, rental equipment, food and lessons affordable, two “skiership” funds were established to ensure no child will be denied a chance to learn to ski because they can not afford the sport.

The Tom Hall Memorial Skiership and Warren Brosch Memorial Skiership have been funded to allow up to 5 children a chance to ski each day. The program offers lift tickets, rentals and lessons to any child that qualifies. Summer activities are also geared to recreation for children.

Background:

The purchase of Mt. Holiday in 2002 by a citizen’s group marked the beginning of a fund-raising campaign to rehabilitate the facility and operate without incurring debt. To date over $1.2 million has been raised in pledges and contributions. With these funds it has been possible to buy the ski hill, begin renovations on the lodge and purchase major equipment such as a new snow tube lift.

Mt. Holiday Ski Area began in 1949 when a group of local people obtained permission to create a ski run on state property. The ski area was originally known as Holiday Hills and its first ski run was called Mt. Holiday. Mt. Holiday’s 1950s style lodge overlooks 45 acres of scenic forested ski hills. The lodge itself has a functioning kitchen, bar area, wood burning fireplace, and holds up to 300 people.

Thousands of volunteer hours have been put into the lodge and its surroundings this summer. The lodge has been resided, repainted, and re-roofed. The ski lifts have been refurbished and a new lift hut has been built. Snow making equipment has been purchased and repaired and other improvements are ongoing.