Mat-Su Arctic Winter Games Host Society selling beds as everyone heads home

PALMER — Now that the Mat-Su 2024 Arctic Winter Games have come to an end, people from across the world are returning to their homes.

As life returns to normal in the Mat-Su Borough, AWG staff and volunteers are recouping some of the costs of hosting the massive biennial event by selling the beds intended for the participants and other items.

Mat-Su Arctic Winter Games Host Society General Manager Karen Lane said they've already sold a lot of beds so far, and the plan is to keep selling them until they're all gone.

During the week of the 2024 Arctic Winter Games, visitors stayed at local high schools and slept on twin beds and bunk beds.

According to Lane, all the bunk beds have been sold. She said the remaining used and unused twin beds with memory foam are currently for sale.

New twin beds cost $150 and used beds cost $100. Lane said they originally purchased the beds for $205.

“It's a great deal," Lane said.

Lane noted that they've also donated numerous beds to local nonprofits such as Alaska Family Services, Family Promise Mat-Su, MyHouse, Valley Residential Services, Adult and Teen Challenge Wasilla, and Catholic Social Services. She said that's one example of how their staff and volunteers have supported local nonprofits prior to, during and after the 2024 Arctic Winter Games.

“We are very happy to do that," Lane said. “That's part of the Games, giving back to the community that supported the Games.”

Mat-Su AWG staff and volunteers are also holding numerous “garage sales'' at the event warehouse in downtown Palmer. They will be selling various items such as sporting equipment, furniture, and leftover merchandise March 29, March 30, April 2, and April 3.

“We'll keep doing them if we have more stuff," Lane said.

Lane lamented the fact that the 2024 Games are over. She said it's bittersweet since it was so much fun for so many people but now it's time for everyone to go their separate ways.

“We're sad to see our new friends leave," Lane said. “I think the biggest highlight is how people became lifelong friends this week.”

Over 2,000 people from across the Mat-Su Borough and beyond volunteered for the 2024 Games. Lane said that she’s very grateful for the unwavering support from the dedicated volunteers and community sponsors who went above and beyond to help make this huge endeavor possible.

“It definitely would not have been so successful without all our volunteers and all our sponsors," Lane said.

Those interested in purchasing beds can pick them up from the AWG Host Society office located at 902 East Palmer-Wasilla Highway, just outside downtown Palmer or the AWG Barn located at 1100 South Colony Way in downtown Palmer.

For more information, visit shop.awg2024.org/bedsales.

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