TASP: “20 Years of Blue” Celebration

TASP: “20 Years of Blue” Celebration

Tickets for TASP’s “20 Years of Blue” Celebration, $70 in advance.; $75 at the door here. Tickets will also be for sale in Heritage Plaza in Mountain Village in front of the TASP van on Thursday, March 3, and Friday, March 4, from noon to 4 p.m.

TASP poster

Blue.

But not as in feeling down.

Blue.

As in skies.

As in feeling up and good again.

Transforming blue moods into blue skies for hundreds of individuals facing physical and mental challenges is the special alchemy of the men and women in the blue jackets. They are the talented, compassionate instructors and volunteers at TASP, the Telluride Adaptive Sports Program, a nonprofit dedicated to providing recreational activities to develop life skills and encourage growth for people of all ages with disabilities.

This year, TASP celebrates 20 years of success at an all-out bash on Friday, March 4, 6 –10 p.m. at the Telluride Conference Center in Mountain Village. So break out your best blue party outfit and join in the fun.

Dance to the sounds of the Anders Brothers Band (sponsored by Alpine Bank). Complete your blue outfit with a “Fascinator” head piece or blue boa. Designer Debbie Sedaris will be stationed close to the photo booth.

Dine on hors d’oeuvre created by six of Telluride’s top restaurants and caterers: Rustico, Siam and Siam’s Talay, Black Iron Grill, Wine Geek Food Freak, Brown Dog Pizza.

Sip on Emeritus Vineyard’s award-winning Pinot Noir and Tito’s Vodka (included in the price of admission).

Eco Cleaners, Bear Creek Lodging and Dan Dockray have sponsored drink rounds. (Get there early to take advantage of free drink tickets.)

There is also a Wine Pull. For $25, you get a chance to pull a bottle of wine worth anywhere from $15 -$100. In addition, you are entered to win a magnum bottle of Emeritus.

And as a keepsake from this night to remember, take individual or group shot in the Shooting Stars photo booth, sponsored by Laura Ellison of Nevasca Realty.

Turner Toyota is offering post-party shuttle service.

Watch Clint’s accompanying video here:

Here is just a small sampling of the incredible auction items:

Festival tickets from everything from WOW to Mountain Film and The Ride.

Snowboards from Stalk It.

$1000 shopping spree from Elinoff Gallery, plus $100 towards dining at the Alpinist and the Goat.

Wagner Custom Skis.

Dunton Hot Springs package for two couples. 

Two-night, all-inclusive stay at Dunton Hot Springs, a Relais & Chateaux affiliated property in a stunning multi-room cabin for either a family of 4 or two couples. Followed by two magical nights of “glamping” in Dunton River Camp at Cresto Ranch in two magnificent luxury “tents.” Gourmet meals, beverages-both alcoholic and non-alcoholic-included.  A private half-day, guided fly fishing adventure is yours to enjoy while at The River Camp. While at Dunton Hot Springs, enjoy an exclusive SAND CANYON HIKE & WINE TOUR, where you’ll take a trip to the Sculpted Monoliths of McElmo Canyon. This is a one-hour hike with your private guide on Sand Canyon Trail in the Canyons of the Ancients. It’s approximately a 1.5hr drive (transportation not included) to the Canyon. This followed by a pack lunch and a vineyard tour and tasting at Sutcliffe Winery which is conveniently located just minutes away from Sand Canyon trailhead, returning back to Dunton by 5pm.

(Valid from June 1 – October 31, 2016 )

Book early, as bookings are based upon availability at time of booking.  The winner may use the Dunton Hot Springs and Dunton River Camp stays in two separate two night stays or as one glorious four night Dunton experience, if that is more convenient.

It is advisable to book in advance for the guided* activities in order to secure best possible availability and times..

Luxury stay/accommodations in New York City.

A one week’s stay in a luxury, 1200 sq.ft. executive one-bedroom, 2-bath apartment with dining area in the Phillips Club at Lincoln Square, NYC. The Phillips Club is a fully serviced property, including concierge. Membership in the nearby state-of-the-art Equinox Sports Club is included during your stay.

The unit is meant for two, but with the convertible sleep sofa, can easily sleep 4, and the dining area seats 8! These elegantly furnished residences offer the look and feel of a stylish Manhattan apartment. Ideally located on the Upper West Side, your cosmopolitan retreat places the best of the city at your doorstep.

(Donated by Bunny Freidus and John Steel)

and much, much more….

Check out all the auction items here.

More about TASP:

The Telluride Adaptive Ski Program began under founder Colleen Trouts’ direction as a department of the Telluride Ski Area Ski School. In 1995, TASP became an independent non-profit and an organized chapter of Disabled Sports/USA, a national network of sports and education programs for people with disabilities.

Trout also initiated a number of the programs for veterans TASP continues to conduct.

Until 2001, TASP was predominantly a winter program.

In 2001, TASP launched a summer therapeutic horseback riding program in Ridgway and became year-round. After four years, the riding program became so successful it split into a separate organization. TASP still works closely with that initiative and shares many of the same participants and volunteers. In place of the riding program, TASP has initiated a multitude of summer activities to meet the growing needs in its regional community. Summer activities include: river rafting, kayaking, cycling, jeep tours, hikes, and day outings, working closely with other adaptive sports programs and local guides and outfitters to execute.

Highlights of 2014 summer season and 2014-2015 winter season:

Served just over 400 individual students in well over 2000 adaptive activities

Provided over $90,000 in scholarships and program subsidies to low-income participants.

Recruited and trained about 170 volunteers who gave over 7500 hours of service.

TASP provided over 50 different winter and summer training clinics for a total of close to 2,000 hours of volunteer and instructor training.

Trained close to 20 athletes for the Special Olympics. Team San Juan sent athletes to the Regional Alpine Winter Games at Sunlight Ski Resort,  to the State Alpine Winter Games at Copper Mountain Ski Resort, and to the Regional Bocce Ball Summer Games in Grand Junction.

Coordinated with over 20 public school special needs and education classes to reach students from throughout the expanded rural region.

Hosted the 11th annual Disability Awareness Project, successfully reaching and educating over 100 fifth- and sixth- graders from three local schools, as well as a group of college students on an Alternative Spring Break.

Hosted the 15th annual Expand Your Horizons! Ski Camp for 17 intermediate and advanced adaptive skiers and their guests. The event included race development and practice and “hike-to” terrain for all of the participants, even the sit-down skiers.

Hosted the annual Winter Disabled Veterans Ski Adventure Camp for about 13 recently injured service members with some guests.

Hosted the 2nd weeklong camp for Florida’s Veterans Adaptive Sports Group, hosting about 15 disabled veterans, as well as the first weeklong camp for 10 veterans from the Warrior’s Transition Battalion in Colorado Springs.

Hosted the annual Summer Veterans Adventure Week for about 10 recently injured service members with some guests.

Hosted two summer Project Odyssey groups in conjunction with Wounded Warrior Project, serving about 25 veterans (One camp was a couples week and the other male specific.)

Hosted more veterans in activities including Moab Mania!, Expand Your Horizons, and general TASP activities

Hosted just under 10 participants and their guests in 6th annual Moab Mania! mountain arm-bike camp.

Continued to offer a great summer program: TASP hosted about 20 regional participants and 15 family members in abut 75 activity days during Friday Regional Activity Days. Activities included rock climbing, hiking, horseback riding, biking, a lake day, fishing and geocaching.

For a (non-linear) history of TASP in images, watch this video by Clint Viebrock.

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