These are some of the nonprofit organizations that are working hard to bring you the Maple Leaf this year. All these programs will be benefiting directly from the race! For nearly 60 years, the Manchester Lions Club has served the northern half of Bennington County, Vermont by contributing to the medical, social, educational and recreational needs of our communities. Proceeds from the Maple Leaf Half Marathon have assisted us in this mission. In 2011, we will contribute $30,000-40,000 to local charity. Indeed, our motto is, “We Serve!” To learn more, visit the website. Meeting twice a week in small teams of 8-15 girls, we teach life skills through dynamic, conversation-based lessons and running games. The 24-lesson curriculum is taught by certified Girls on the Run® coaches and includes three parts: understanding ourselves, valuing teamwork and understanding how we connect with and shape the world at large.
For more information, please visit the website.  Greater Northshire Access Television (GNAT-TV) is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization created to produce and promote Community Television. GNAT-TV broadcasts on Comcast Channels 15, 16, & 17 in the communities of Manchester, Dorset, Arlington, Peru, Stratton, Sunderland, and Winhall, and with the recent addition of Mountain Communities Television, we’ve expanded service to the communities of Weston and Londonderry. In addition to our “on the road” educational programs, GNAT-TV provides video coverage for town meetings, educational and cultural events and manages a state-of-the-art production facility available to the public for producing community programming. Our continued goal at GNAT-TV is to bring our communities together. To learn more, check out the website. Vermont Reading Partners, a non-profit literacy program, is celebrating its 25th anniversary in the field of adult and family literacy. VRP offers one-on-one study in reading, writing, math, GED study, and English to speakers of other languages throughout southwestern Vermont. Also offered is a School Program to ten area schools and a Free Books Program made possible by donations of gently used books from residents of the area. Please visit the website to learn more. The Manchester Fire Department (MFD) is comprised entirely of volunteers from the community and is responsible for providing fire protection, emergency response and safety services to the Town and its residents. The Fire Department is founded on selfless volunteerism to the community. Members are routinely called away from work and awakened in the darkest hours of the night to respond to emergencies.  The Manchester Rescue Squad serves Manchester and five other towns. Only 7% of their funding comings from supported towns. They rely on volunteers to supplement their small paid staff.
 The Collaborative is a nonprofit community based substance abuse prevention coalition connecting all segments of the population in support of the mutual goals of substance free youth and healthy families and individuals. The Collaborative promotes the development of a healthy, involved community supporting substance free youth in a caring environment. Get Involved! Visit the website or find The Collaborative on Facebook.  For over 30 years the Knights of Columbus have contributed to the needs of the Manchester community. As part of an almost 2 million member organization, we bear a special obligation to do all we can to care for those in need. Working at the local food cupboard, donating turkeys at Thanksgiving and Christmas, running a monthly breakfast, and supporting Special Olympics are just a few examples of our giving to the Manchester community. The Maple Leaf Half Marathon affords us a special opportunity to reach out and fulfill our mission.  Being a Battenkill Valley Runner has many benefits, among them discounts at all our club races, subscription to the always informative and entertaining club newsletter, weekly group training and fun runs at interesting locations around the region, and various other special events. Mostly we offer the opportunity to meet some really nice people who share an interest in running. We are a diverse group of runners - individuals and families, fast and not so fast, laid back and serious - but all sharing a love for the sport and for the beautiful valley that we're named for. As of April 2001, the Batten Kill Valley Runners members resided in eight states, with 2/3 living in Vermont. For more information, visit their website.  Special Olympics Vermont empowers people with intellectual disabilities to realize their full potential and develop their skills through year-round sports training and competition. As a result, Special Olympics athletes become fulfilled and productive members of their families and the communities in which they live. Other nonprofit organizations participating: Manchester and the Mountains Chamber of Commerce Manchester Parks and Recreation Department Bromley Brook School Burr and Burton and Long Trail School Leo’s Clubs Dorset Players Association Rupert, Vermont Community Food Cupboard Manchester Boy Scouts Manchester Rotary Club Manchester Cub Scouts Burr and Burton Academy Cross Country Team |
