PORTLAND — WinterKids was thrilled to sponsor 13 Maine children with outdoor activity scholarships for the winter of 2015-2016. Nine children benefitted from the Michael & Barbara Peisner Nordic Fund and four more were recipients of the George K Scholarship Fund & Gear Giveaway.

For the third winter in a row, The Michael & Barbara Peisner Nordic Fund sponsored nine students from Portland to learn to cross-country ski at Riverside in Portland. WinterKids partners with Portland Nordic and Portland Recreation to provide the students with equipment, transportation, and instruction so they can get outside and active, as part of the WinterKids' mission. The program is made possible through a donation by Michael and Barbara Peisner, who firmly believe in connecting kids who would otherwise not have the opportunity with winter sports, recreation, and competition. Michael Peisner is a past President of the WinterKids board of directors.

WinterKids worked with Portland Recreation to select interested participants. Children in grades 2 through 5 were asked to write a short essay describing why he/she should be chosen. Nine children were funded by the fund at WinterKids.
The George K Scholarship Fund & Gear Giveaway provided 4 children with gear to learn a new winter sport. Created in 2013 to honor former board President, George Kiesewetter, the George K Scholarship Fund & Gear Giveaway provides WinterKids Passports, travel vouchers, and new and gently used equipment to Maine kids annually.

The 2015-2016 recipients of the George K Scholarship are:

• Madeline, a fifth-grader from Portland, who received new ice skates from Play It Again Sports.
• Brook, a fifth-grader from Lewiston, who received a seasonal ski rental package from Ski Rack Sports.
• Joshua, a fifth-grader from Naples, who received a seasonal cross-country ski rental package from Five Fields Farm.
• Zachary, a sixth-grader from Hope, who received ski gear from Sidecountry Sports.

In addition to this equipment, each child received a WinterKids Passport and a gas card to assist with travel expenses. "We are delighted to support this program by offering a season long equipment loan," says Tom Gyger of Five Fields Farm in a news release.

"The George K Scholarship helps encourage new skiers and we look forward to continuing to support the program."

The Michael & Barbara Peisner Nordic Fund and the George K Scholarship Fund & Gear Giveaway are just two of the many programs offered by WinterKids. Through its programs for schools, families, and communities, WinterKids helped 23,410 children get outside and active this season.