Waterville Valley Adaptive Sports gets $30,000 Hartford grant for adaptive gear

Waterville Valley Adaptive Sports received a $30,000 grant from The Hartford to expand its adaptive biking program in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire. The funding helped buy new equipment and supported a custom-fit trike for a 9-year-old athlete, boosting access, independence and year-round recreation.

Why it matters: - The $30,000 grant expands access to adaptive recreation in Waterville Valley. - The funding adds equipment that can help more children and adults participate in biking and other outdoor activities. - The grant also supports a custom-fit trike for a young athlete, highlighting how adaptive sports can increase independence and confidence.

What happened: - Waterville Valley Adaptive Sports received a $30,000 grant from The Hartford. - The nonprofit used the funding to buy adaptive sports equipment for its biking program. - The Hartford also surprised Alyssa Weeks, a 9-year-old athlete who participates in biking and skiing, with a custom-fit recumbent trike.

The details: - The purchase included three recumbent e-assist trikes, a children’s recumbent trike and an enclosed trailer. - Waterville Valley Adaptive Sports is a nonprofit based in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire. - The organization is part of the Move United member network. - WVAS offers year-round adaptive programming, including skiing, biking and more. - Group bike rides are a core part of the biking program, and friends and family can join rides throughout Waterville Valley. - The organization serves more than 150 people each year through 800 program sessions. - This summer, WVAS is offering adaptive biking, paddling, camping and other activities. - Alyssa Weeks also goes by Alyssa-Marie in the release and is looking forward to growing her independence and learning a new hobby or skill. - Her mother, Sarah Weeks, said the family felt gratitude, joy and amazement watching Alyssa feel confident trying something new. - MiKayla Briere, executive director of Waterville Valley Adaptive Sports, said Alyssa has been a valued participant for many years. - Briere also said Alyssa’s progress, including earning a medal at this year’s Special Olympics Winter Games, shows the power of adaptive sports.

Between the lines: - The grant does more than buy equipment; it strengthens a local pipeline for inclusive recreation across seasons. - The custom trike fits a broader strategy of tailoring sports access to individual needs instead of one-size-fits-all programming. - The emphasis on family-involved group rides suggests WVAS is building community around adaptive sports, not just offering classes.

What's next: - WVAS will use the new equipment in its adaptive biking program and other summer offerings. - The organization is likely to continue serving riders, paddlers and campers through its year-round schedule. - Alyssa Weeks will have access to a bike that can support more recreation and skill-building as she grows. - WVAS will keep pairing programming with individualized equipment to broaden participation across its services.