Breckenridge Grand Vacations Awards Local Nonprofits Over $300,000 in Grants and Sponsorships

BRECKENRIDGE, COLO. (November 12, 2018) – Breckenridge Grand Vacations (BGV) has donated a total of $306,680 in grants to local nonprofits since opening applications for its Fall 2018 Grant Cycle in September, benefiting 32 organizations in both Summit and Park Counties. This year, the Grants Program has awarded a total of $601,930 in grants, sponsorships, and heart health funding – an increase of 49 percent compared to last year’s total allocation of both Spring and Fall Grants.

Breckenridge Grand Vacations awards grants to local organizations during two annual cycles: one in the spring and another in the fall. The BGV Grants Program is managed by BGV Gives, a program created to support nonprofit organizations in Summit and Park Counties through fundraising, sponsorships, grants, volunteering, and in-kind donations, with a focus on health, human services and education sectors. Under the leadership of BGV Gives Program Manager Deb Edwards, the Grants Program has pushed BGV to extend its commitment to support the local community by donating more than $1 million annually, a number distributed among the two grant cycles, employee assistance fund contributions, donations to The Summit Foundation and other local organizations, sponsorship of local charitable events, and in-kind spa and lodging certificates to many local charities, among other philanthropic efforts.

“Supporting community initiatives is a core value for our company and our employees. We believe that it is important to protect and invest in our community for our employees and our guests. Over the years as we’ve grown as a company, we’ve also grown our support for our community through donations and contributions to our local nonprofit organizations.” expressed Edwards.

During this year’s fall cycle, $46,180 was granted to three organizations in the health sector: Red, White & Blue Fire Protection District; Starting Hearts and the Summit Community Care Clinic. From that total, $26,180 was allocated from The Rob Millisor Heart Health Fund. Nine human services organizations received a total of $103,000, including the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center, Summit County Rescue Group, and the Treetop Child Advocacy Center, while fifteen educational nonprofits were awarded a total of $122,000, including the Backstage Theatre, Carriage House Early Learning Center, High Country Conservation Center and the National Repertory Orchestra. Five other local beneficiaries received a total of $35,500, including the Lake Dillon Theatre Company, Summit Concert Band and Summit Hockey.

The nonprofit support BGV provides to the community is a source of great pride to its employees – a huge reason the company is considered the employer of choice in Summit County. In addition to charitable giving, Breckenridge Grand Vacations also encourages its employees to have an active role in the community by volunteering their time at local events and for philanthropic causes. This past summer, more than 100 volunteers (consisting of both BGV employees and community members) supported The Rob Millisor Heart Health Walk, contributing to the success of the event and raising more than $172,000 to fund heart health programs, education and research. Annually, BGV employees volunteer nearly 2,000 hours to support nonprofit organizations in our community.

To learn more about the BGV Gives Program, please contact Deb Edwards at 970-547-8748 or dedwards@breckgv.com.

ABOUT BGV GIVES

Founded in 2016, the BGV Gives Program was established to facilitate and further extend Breckenridge Grand Vacations’ philanthropic reach and impact in Summit County and the surrounding area. Inspired by the late BGV Owner/Developer, Rob Millisor, this charitable program honors his example of service to others by supporting the local nonprofit community. BGV is excited and humbled to continue Rob’s legacy of giving through fundraising, sponsorships, grants, volunteering and in-kind donations on behalf of those in need, with a primary focus on health, human services and education. With guidance from BGV Gives Program Manager Deb Edwards, this program is committed to growing BGV’s local contributions and inspiring fellow community members to give more by providing resources and opportunities to help others in need.

 

BGV Contact: Deb Edwards

Media Contact: Sandra Cummons

Phone: (970) 547-8735

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Shape Up for Ski Season in Summit County

The 2018/2019 Breckenridge ski season is upon us! BUT, what about getting into ski shape? It’s OK if you hadn’t thought about it yet. A few weeks of ski-based exercises can decrease your chances of getting injured and avoid strained muscles and achy joints. Remember, something is better than nothing.

We’ve created a list of our six favorite exercises, compiled from numerous different workouts and resources. These exercises are not only about getting your legs ready for the ski season but also focusing on strengthening and preparing stabilizer muscles, core strength and stretching. We hope to help you create an overall well-being that’ll help prevent injuries and keep you out on the hill longer (especially on those powder days).

 

Shape Up for Ski Season

 

  1. Balance Exercises – Make your own balance board or use a Bosu Ball. Stand on your Bosu Ball, squat down and see how easy it is. If this feels too easy, try one foot at a time. Want to make it even a little harder? Try single-leg squats. These balance exercises will help both your balance and your core. You’ll feel these balance exercises in your quads, abs and calves, for sure. Take a few minutes every day while you’re brushing your teeth or watching TV to stand on one foot, with your other foot raised just barely above the ground. Sounds easy, but if you haven’t been maintaining your balance it can be hard! Once you’ve mastered that, add some arm circles into the mix (maybe not while brushing your teeth…).
  2. Single-Leg Eccentric Squats – Eccentric movement increases tension on a muscle as it lengthens, creating more strength than just a normal squat. With or without weights, stand straight and hold your right leg out in front of you. Squat with your left leg while keeping your chest and eyes up. Count down 3 seconds and then pop back up. Go as low as you can. Do 15 reps on each side. Repeat if you need more.
  3. Wall sit with leg lifts – Stand up against a wall and slide your back down until you are at a 90-degree angle (or “sitting”). Lift your left leg up for 15 seconds and then switch to the right leg. Repeat switching legs every 15 seconds and aim to continue this rotation for one minute without stopping. Go longer if you can, and keep track of your progress!
  4. Stretching – The dreaded stretch. Who has time for that? Does it really do anything? Fortunately, and unfortunately, yes! Stretching really is a complete mind, body and spirit work out (and also helps those achy muscles from all the squats). One particular stretching routine we love is Tony Horton’s Dynamix workout (30 minutes, once a week!). If that doesn’t strike your fancy, aim for two 20-minute sessions that incorporate straight leg hangs, glute pulls, hip flexor/quadriceps pulls, and chest and oblique stretching. Stretching prior to shredding on the mountain can reap huge rewards. If you are able to wake up 20 minutes earlier than usual before heading to the hill, warming up your body can help prevent injuries, often caused by throwing cold muscles into a workout.
  5. Planks – Although we know we need to strengthen our legs, there is something to be said about having a strong core to get you through those powder stashes. Start on the ground in a push-up position, lower down to your forearms and hold for 15 seconds. Push back up to your push-up (or plank) position. Repeat this for one minute (or as long as you can), while switching from plank to forearm-plank every 15 seconds. If you are feeling good, incorporate a side plank: Start in plank, move to forearm-plank, and then open to the left or right while stacking your legs. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat on the other side.
  6. Cardio – This sounds so simple. Cardio. Duh. Everyone knows we need this to keep our lungs pumping. But it’s super important and one of the most daunting exercises. Choose a training method (hiking, biking, swimming, power walking, etc.) and try to commit to three times a week. Depending on your fitness level, strive for 20-90 minutes per session.

So, there you have it. Our favorite exercises based on experience and research to help you get ready for ski season. Choose two or three of these to create your own 30-minute workout. Strive to get these done two to three times per week and increase to four or five times weekly as your body progresses. If you are getting a late start in the training season (like most of us), have no fear. Start tomorrow. Or the next day. Anything you can do prior to the first time you put on your ski or boarding boots will be beneficial. Train hard, ski hard. We hope to see you on the hill this winter.

**Always consult a physician before performing any sort of physical activity, especially if you are pregnant and/or breastfeeding.

  • Keep your chest and eyes up for squat jumps/leg squats.
  • Keep good form – if you need to modify, do so!
  • Add weights if you want! Feel free to grab some dumbbells to increase weight.

Partial Sourcing: Ski Mag.com

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