Kelly Brush Foundation

The Kelly Brush Foundation was established by family and friends in 2006 after Kelly Brush, a member of the Middlebury College Ski Team, suffered a major spinal cord injury while competing in a giant slalom race on February 18, 2006. The crash left her paralyzed from the chest down. Amazingly, the tenacious 21-year-old has yet to let it stop her from doing what she loves. Since the accident, Kelly has continued to enjoy and pursue an active and healthy lifestyle by mono-skiing, golfing, hand-cycling, and even surfing. Kelly's love of athletics and compassion for others prompted the formation of the Kelly Brush Foundation. The non-profit organization is dedicated to promoting active and healthy lifestyles by:

• Advocating for improving Safety in Ski Racing
• Purchasing Adaptive Sports Equipment for individuals with spinal cord injury
• Supporting Spinal Cord Injury Research
• Supporting the U.S. Disabled Ski Team

After the 2007 Century Ride raised an incredible $90,000, the Kelly Brush Foundation was off to a great start. With the money, the Foundation has made the following grants:

• $40,000 to 40 ski clubs across the country for Ski Racing Safety
• A Nordic sit-ski to Andrea Kerr of Jericho, Vermont
• Scuba gear to 21-year-old Austin Whitney of San Juan Capistrano, California
• A hand-cycle to Clearly Buckley of Burlington, Vermont
• A donation to the US Disable Ski Team to develop a new Nordic sit-ski
• A donation to Craig Rehabilitation Hospital in Denver, CO for spinal cord research.

Kelly Brush Grant Programs

Ski Racing Safety Grant Program
Awards grants to ski and snowboard clubs and organizations that are unable to afford the safety equipment needed for ski races.

Individual Grant Program
Awards grants to individuals paralyzed due to spinal cord injury for purchase of adaptive sporting equipment.

Spinal Cord Research Grants
A percentage of the funds raised each year are distributed as research grants to hospitals and organizations conducting research that focuses on treating and curing paralysis.

United States Disabled Ski Team
A portion of the funds raised each year are donated to the United States Disabled Ski Team.

For more on the Kelly Brush Foundation and the Kelly Brush Grant Programs, visit the website at www.kellybrushfoundation.org.