Help Keep VAST Moving Forward by Donating Today
A modest investment. A profound impact on veterans.
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Pineland Farms/ ATTN: VAST
32 Farm View Drive
New Gloucester, ME 04260
Checks can be made out to: Pineland Farms / VAST Donation
Dear VAST Community and Supporters,
The Veterans Adaptive Sports and Training (VAST) program provides veterans with disabilities the opportunity to challenge themselves, strengthen their physical and mental well-being, and form lasting connections. Through a wide range of recreational activities, VAST helps veterans rebuild confidence, gain independence, and find community. To achieve this, we provide programming every Wednesday from 9am to noon, 52 weeks a year, as well as year-round one-day and multi-day trips that draw participants from across New England and the country. Our specialized activities include cross-country skiing and biathlon, cycling, archery, hiking, fly fishing, and laser rifle shooting. This programming is always provided entirely free of charge.
For 14 years, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has provided consistent financial support to VAST. However, we were recently notified that our annual Grant Application was not recommended for funding. According to the VA, the application “did not meet the administrative review criteria” largely because of a technical issue with the application, rather than the quality of our program.
This is deeply surprising and disappointing news. The VA grant was our primary source of support, providing between $90,000 and $100,000 of our modest $150,000 annual budget. While the need for this critical service remains higher than ever, VAST now faces the immediate possibility of having to reduce or interrupt our 160+ days of annual programming unless replacement funding is secured.
We believe that should not happen.
We are determined to explore alternative funding sources and continue our important mission of serving our veteran population.
The numbers tell part of the story. During the past year, VAST provided 257 activities over 160 days, generating 2,170 days of participation by veterans with disabilities and reaching 278 individual veterans. This massive effort was made possible by our community, leveraging 385 individual volunteer days of service to keep operations lean.
But the most compelling evidence comes from the veterans themselves:
“After joining VAST and learning to use the electric assist trikes, I have participated in numerous rides allowing me to exercise my muscles. VAST has taken me from not being able to ride a bike at all to being able to ride 10-15 miles in a day.”
Another veteran put it even more simply:
“VAST has literally saved my life and I wouldn’t be here without their program.”
These are not simply recreational outings. For many participants, VAST provides a path toward greater physical independence, renewed confidence, meaningful friendships, and a better quality of life.
And VAST accomplishes all of this on a very modest operating budget, leveraging dedicated staff, volunteers, community partners, and supporters to make every dollar go a long way.
Now, we need your help.
Any leads or connections to potential corporate or private financial support are greatly appreciated.
Our goal is straightforward: raise the private support necessary to bridge this gap and keep VAST’s programming going without interruption while we work to restore our sustainable federal funding.
If you believe veterans who have sacrificed for our country deserve the opportunity to challenge themselves, regain independence, build community, and enjoy the outdoors with others who understand what they have experienced, please consider making a gift to VAST, any amount helps.
Your support will help ensure that this vital program continues for the veterans who depend on it. Please join us in keeping VAST moving forward.
Sincerely,
Kristina Sabasteanski, MOTR/L
Director, Veterans Adaptive Sports and Training
Phone: 207-310-8694 | Email: kristina@pinelandfarms.org
Support Our Veterans:
Learn more and donate at: https://pinelandfarms.org/recreation/vast/
Click for the VAST Informational Brochure
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VeteransAdaptiveSportsTraining
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pineland_farms_vast/
VAST is a program of Pineland Farms, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization. The program is open to veterans with physical, TBI, or PTS disabilities who are eligible for VA support, as well as veterans who wish to volunteer.
