Adult and Teen Challenge hosting annual Sled for Hope to raise funds for men’s recovery housing

WASILLA — The Mat-Su Valley’s chapter of Adult and Teen Challenge is hosting their largest fundraising event of the year, Sled for Hope. Anyone with a snowmachine is invited to a recreational ride in Big Lake to support their efforts supporting locals struggling with addiction.

“It’ll be nice having something going on with all this COVID that’s locked people in their houses. This is something where you can get out with your family and raise money that goes right here in Alaska,” Pacific Northwest Adult and Teen Challenge Alaska Development Coordinator, Lori Ellis said.

Sled For Hope is scheduled for March 13 at the Burkeshore Marina in Big Lake. Snowmachine riders will be able to enjoy a guided 40 mile ride at their one pace. This event is open to anyone looking to sign up as an individual or team and willing to commit to raising sponsorship.

There’s a $50 registration fee, and participants are asked to raise $2,500 each. The individual or team who raises the most money will win a Ski-Doo Summit provided by Team CC. Participants are required to raise at least $5,000 to qualify for the Ski Doo Summit grand prize.

According to Ellis, there will be breakfast before the ride, then to the Yentna Roadhouse for Lunch, and back to the Marina for a banquet with prizes, sponsorship recognitions, and the grand prize giveaway.

Local businesses are invited to donate to Sled for Hope with various levels of sponsorship to choose from, ranging from the “Checkpoint” at $500 and “Epic” Event Sponsor at $10,000. The goal for this year’s event is $136,000.

“It’s gonna be family friendly. The whole family can participate… It’s just an experience that you don’t get very often, that you can share with your family; and it’s for a good cause. It’s going to fight addiction right here in the Valley,” Ellis said.

Donations from this event will go directly to Adult and Teen Challenge’s residential treatment campus for men.

Adult and Teen Challenge is a national faith based organization based out of Ozark, Missouri with over 200 centers across the U.S. and Canada.

The men’s campus in Wasilla is the only location in the state. Ellis said they’re planning to build a women and children’s facility over the next two years.

Adult and Teen Challenge was in the Valley from approximately 1988 to 2003 and reestablished in 2015, according to Ellis. She said the current Director, Doug Wever (previously the Vice President of Global Teen Challenge) has been here for three years.

Sled for Hope starts March 13 at the Burkeshore Marina, located at 3610 Burkeshore Drive in Big Lake. Snow machines are required. Ellis encourages those without a snow machine to contact Alaska Toy Rentals for information on renting one.

For more information, call 907-202-8850 or visit teenchallengepnw.com.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com