November 20, 2013 – Dear Nordic Community, Honestly, I am humbled when we all pitch in on fundraising during the Drive for 25. At the start we never really know how we will do, we just depend on your passion and your drive to create the generosity in giving. It’s about skiers helping skiers. States showing their Nordic Community pride and Juniors learning life’s lessons of how to ask someone for support. When we blew away our fund raising goal in Cross Country, honestly, I just became quietly amazed.

We used to be a ragtag collection of highly independent athletes, coaches and clubs trying to succeed in a much more sophisticated Nordic ski world. Now we are a unified Nordic Community exploring what is possible. So far the results have beared out in many of the Pillar Projects that we fund. Does any of this sound familiar? You bet it does, that unity is a uniquely American concept instilled in us since 1776! It still works today.

Thank you so very much for your support and believing in this process and our athletes and coaches. You will be hearing from them and us as to how their doing.

On behalf of our two operations guys working tirelessly behind the scenes, James Southam and Andrew Gardner, and our NNF Board of Directors listed below, thank you all, the Drive for 25 is truly an inspiring kick off to OUR time of year, our sport, and our culture.

Sincerely,

Dave Knoop
Executive Director
National Nordic Foundation

Board of Directors:
– Yuriy Gusev
– Reid Lutter
– Joey Caternichio
– Kerry Lynch
– Billy Demong

Time for some individual recognition. These are the ambassadors, large donors, juniors and general supporters of the NNF. We’re overwhelmed and grateful. Thanks to you all for supporting this year’s Drive for 25! Thanks for supporting the continued progress of skiing in the US. Onward!

Large Donors
– Steve and Diana Strandberg
– Frank E.
– Ruth Brown
– The Anshutz Foundation
– Walter McCormick
– Gretl Dupre’ Galgon
– Peter Curran
– David Knoop
– Eric Oberg
– Tony Wiedekehr
– Joe Holland
– Rick Mewborn
– Scott Putman
– Hal Stanley
– Steve Fuller
– Mark Diperno/Sport Insurance
– Paul Berge
– Bob Berend
– Cameron Wiley
– Anonymous
– Diane Halvorsen
– Bill Demong Jim Forbes

Top 20 U23/Junior Ambassadors
• Ambassador • Amount • Donors
• Heidi Halvorsen $3,455 (31) • Katharine Ogden $1,975 (19) • Leah Lange $1,335 (14) • Julia Kern $1,300 (15) • Kelsey Phinney $1,187 (13) • Cal Deline$1,025 (3) • Elizabeth Guiney$1,0012 (3) • Annie Pokorny $950 (8) • Gretchen Burkholder $925 (6) • Cully Brown $850 (5) • Alayna Sonnesyn $820 (16) • Erik Bjornsen $735 (15) • Simon Zink $679 (6) • Taeler McCrerey $625 (13) • Brandon Herhusky $625 (11) • Bill Harmeyer $610 (18) • Henry Harmeyer $610 (17) • Lauren Jortberg $550 (8) • Tucker McCrerey $530 (5) • Karsten Hokanson $515 (10)

Top 10 Ambassadors by $ Raised
• Ambassador • Amount • Donors
• Yuriy Gusev $10,025 (15) • Kerry Lynch $8,475 (8) • Billy Demong $6,660 (10) • Michael Ward $3,470 (27) • Heidi Halvorsen $3,455 (31) • Chris Grover $2,600 (18) • Simi Hamilton $2,600 (15) • Gus Kaeding $2,200 (11) • Jasper Good $2,025 (23) • Tyler Smith $2,015 (17)

Top 10 Ambassadors by Donations
• Ambassador • Amount • Donors
Holly Brooks $1,255 (37) • Heidi Halvorsen $3,455 (31) • Michael Ward $3,470 (27) • Jasper Good $2,025 (23) • Elizabeth Guiney $1,001 (23) • Adam Loomis $1,100 (21) • Katharine Ogden $1,975 (19) • Chris Grover $2,600 (18) • Bill Harmeyer $610 (18) • Tyler Smith $2,015 (17) • Henry Harmeyer $610 (17)

#skiingnation
Job Well Done

45 States.
Over 1200 donors.
Alaska took home the donor participation award, but US skiing was the big winner. Thanks to you all for your efforts in this year’s D25. Without the widespread grassroots support, we would not be the organization we are today. Thanks to you all!