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DO GOOD - FEEL GOOD
Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra is successful because of many people and organizations.
Our Vision
We believe the freedom and exhilaration of outdoor challenges changes lives. No one should be left behind simply because of a disability!
Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra is a volunteer-based nonprofit dedicated to changing the lives of children and adults with disabilities and their families by:
DSES has adaptive equipment to fulfill everyone's winter and summer dreams: gliding down a snow-covered mountainside, cruising on a cycle or skimming over a placid lake.
Activities are customized to each individual; one-on-one or in a group. Our goal is for everyone to be active year round!
DSES makes the outdoors accessible and affordable!!
Terry Smutney Memorial Fund
Terry Smutney 1956-2009
Terry Smutney, long-time resident of McGee Creek and prominent volunteer and lover of the Eastern Sierra, passed away on Monday, March 23, 2009 from lung cancer and other complications of Gulf War Syndrome. Terry was a good friend to many people in our community, and he will be sorely missed and fondly remembered.
Terry served as a medic in the Army for many years and in many battles. He was permanently affected by chemical exposure in Desert Storm. Though his body was broken, his enduring spirit persevered. Serving others was his primary occupation over these last years. He was a valued volunteer of Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra, the Sunrise Rotary Club and the Mobility Commission.
» Read More
Dennis Hampton Scholarship Fund
Dennis Hampton was a long time resident of Mammoth Lakes. He arrived in the 1970's for a fun ski vacation and loved Mammoth and winter sports so much he never left.
In memory of Dennis, his family and friends have established a scholarship fund to sponsor children with disabilities so they can participate in outdoor sports here in the Eastern Sierra. Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra, a program that Dennis loved and supported, teaches children of all ages and all disabilities.
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Wounded Warrior Scholarship Fund
Your donations can help bring men and women who have been severely injured in Iraq to Mammoth to learn how to adapt to their newly 'altered' bodies. Help them remember there is STILL FUN TO BE HAD!
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We Support A Tobacco Free Lifestyle
In The News
Coming Events Calendar
Check our Calendar here. Be sure to click on items in the Calendar for event details and contact information.
Good Vibrations Newsletter
Check out the Spring 2010 Newsletter
Latest Volunteer News
Check out the Current Volunteer News
Sierra Cycle Challenge July 24-26, 2010
Kirkner/Geisel Photos
The Sheet reports that when Kathy Copeland, Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra Executive Director, makes a promise, she keeps it. That’s why she shaved her head live, on-air at the KMMT studios on July 22.
Copeland had promised, after being egged on by Kama Newbry, that if $30,000 worth of donations were received in 30 days for Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra’s Sierra Cycle Challenge, she would shave her head, and shave she did! Penny Shaw from Profiles Salon was the Buzz Master, and while she didn’t leave Copeland bald, she came close to it.
Copeland said this was a great showing of the community working together, as KMMT had plugged the fundraiser and many locals went above and beyond to reach the goal. In fact, so many people helped out that at the time of the head shaving, $40,218 had been received in donations. The money goes to DSES, which, according to Copeland never turns anyone away even if they can’t afford to pay. The Sierra Cycle Challenge is a 150 mile bike ride around the Eastern Sierra, which started July 24.
When asked what her husband, Jack thought about her plans for head-shaving antics, she said his eyes “did the big roll.”
“He may feel like he is coming home to a new man tonight,” she said. “We’ll see how homophobic he is.”
The End of the Season Party was Great!
GREAT TURNOUT~ YUMMY FOOD~WELL DESERVED AWARDS
- Volunteer of the Year - Rick Dodson
- Instructor of the Year - Alan Jacoby
- Rookies of the Year- Cog McNeil & Astrid Dufaur
- M.V.P - EL Smoogen
- Office Diva - Dianne Crunk
- Event Diva - Kama Newbry
- Cruise Director - Lee Aaker
- Outside Ops All-Star - Randee Levin
Thanks to all of you for a fantastic season!
Springtacular Hosts 53 Students
The April 20-23, 2010 Springtacular event on Mammoth Mountain gave local and visiting children the chance to spend three days skiing, snowboarding and making new friends. To cap it off, on the last day the students attend a dance with their new friends.
This year, 53 students attended, with 85 percent of the participants local children. The high percentage of locals offered a special opportunity for local kids to participate in a part of their community that they might not have otherwise been able to do.» Read More
Reach The Peak 2009-2010
"Reach the Peak" is our fundraiser where we ask YOU to support us for the upcoming season. This winter we have more students asking for scholarships than ever before. We say, "YES!" to any student in need! Your generosity allows us to teach students that they are full of ABILITIES and not limited by their disabilities.
Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra Needs Your Help! The goal for our campaign is $50,000. Help us "Reach the Peak" and be able to say "YES!" to any student in need. » Read More
We Have Jobs!
We are hiring for seasonal positions. Please check out our JOBS page. Let your friends know.
$15,000 Grant From Boeing
April 2010: Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra is ecstatic to receive a $15,000 grant from the Employees Community Fund (ECF) of Boeing California. This is an employee-owned and operated nonprofit organization. ECF of Boeing California combines the assets of the former Douglas Aircraft Welfare Foundation and the contributions of Boeing employees made through payroll deductions to support charitable organizations. » Read More
An Incredible Day with Anthony
by Kathy Copeland
Anthony called Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra numerous times to bug them for a reservation to go skiing. To date this proud adaptive organization had never said "no" to anybody…they'd always found a way to accommodate all the different disabilities out on the snow.
But Anthony was different….much different from their other students. He has a C2 quadriplegic spinal cord injury ~ similar to Christopher Reeve ~ and he uses a ventilator to breathe for him....to keep him alive....like Christopher did. » Read More - Pictures
Ariana Sandoval writes - "I have made new dreams and memories in Mammoth... YOU ALL ROCK!!!!"
Thank you for getting me up on the chair lift. All of the face plants made me feel so strong. I know that sounds strange but the more I fell the more I grew in confidence.
I did not die! I lived. I am not just living anymore. Once I came off the snow, I can say for certain that I am now truly ALIVE. I want to try so many things. I want to climb and ride again. I will drive again. I hope to see all of you every break I get. I look forward to all my winters, springs, falls and summers! I thank you all for your friendships. I feel that I have met people of greatness.
» Read More
