Honoring Military Families During ‘Not Forgotten Outreach Appreciation Week’

Courtesy photo

TAOS SKI VALLEY News:

Since 2014 Taos Ski Valley (TSV) & Not Forgotten Outreach, Inc. (NFO) has been providing Military Families an affordable ski vacation.

The Appreciation Ski Week is a Free event, Taos Ski Valley would like to thank the men and women and Families of the Armed Services. The 4th Annual Not Forgotten Outreach Week is Jan. 17-22. 
 
We would like to invite active duty military, Gold Star families, veterans and any family member with a military ID to come ski for $30/day. Free rentals and discounted group ski and snowboard lessons will also be available for all active duty military, Gold Star families, veterans and immediate family members.
 
In 2016, there were over 1,500 Military Family attendees, this year TSV & NFO expect to Host over 3,000 Military Families!
 
NFO, a local non-profit, brings Military Families together at Taos Ski Valley, from all over the US for an experience filled with fun activities on & off the Ski Mountains. Military Families hit the slopes with loved ones and Military friends at a Ski Resort started by a WWII Veteran, Ernie Blake. It’s a perfect opportunity to improve relationships and at the same time enhance personal well-being.
 
Not Forgotten Outreach is pleased to provide adaptive inclusive recreation for the Military Family, NFO is offering ten (10) scholarships for Adaptive Skiers and their Families. At 5 p.m., Thursday and Saturday night NFO will host a FREE “Appreciation Dinner” for 200 Military Families each night.
 
Lodging discounts to Military Families are graciously being offered by: El Monte Sangrado, El Pueblo Lodge, Edelweiss Lodge, Alpenglow Chalet, Hampton Inn Taos, El Camino Lodge and Kachina Lodge. Both the El Pueblo Lodge, owned by an Air Force Mom, and Amizette Inn, started by a Korean War Veteran, families honor their soldiers during this Military Family Appreciation week.
 
To improve “Mindfulness” and relationships, NFO is proud to have partnered with the Department of Veteran Affairs Care Management & Social work Services; to offer intimacy training by Nicole Jasmine Johnson, MSW, MA, LCSW. This intimacy training will provide desperately needed guidance to Military Couples, in how to adjust their personal relationship aspirations when dealing with a wounded warrior, either physically or cognitively injuries, enabling them to learn a “new norm” of intimacy in their changed relationships.
 
Classes will be held each morning at 10 a.m., and afternoons at 3 p.m., Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
 
NFO also has partnered with “Connected Warriors” to provide evidence based Trauma-Conscious yoga therapy programs for Service members, Veterans and their Families at 9 a.m. every morning of the event.
 
One of the 2017 adaptive scholarship recipients’ Caregiver expressed these thoughts on the Appreciation week:
 
“A lot of our time is spent going back and forth to the VA two to three times a week, which is over an hour away from us and is an all-day event. It can be exhausting and stressful but we do it because he needs to. It would be great to be able to spend family time together as it seems there is less of due to the busyness of life and appointments. 
 
“I would love to be able to take Ed, myself and our daughter on this trip to be able to get a great family experience with lots of memories, as well as our daughter being able to see her dad ski and do the things that he used to do, just as any other dad who isn’t disabled. Ed would not only enjoy doing these things again but it would also be great therapy for him! Another benefit to this event for Ed is the comradery. It means so much to him to be able to be around his Brothers again, socialize with them and meet more of his Brothers and families. You can see a big difference in him when he is around other Veterans. He gets more talkative and happier. That alone is a great therapy for Ed as it really touches him.”
 
TSV Resort Deals & Discounts January 17-22, 2017 : Eligibility: Active Duty, National Guard, Reservist, Veteran, Family members and Gold Star Families and their Families with military ID or other identification.
 
 
And broaden the experience. There’s also plenty to do when participants aren’t on the slopes.
  • Thursday Dinner for 200 Military Families (Register @ NFO Booth Day of Arrival)
  • Saturday Dinner for 200 Military Families (Register @ NFO Booth Day of Arrival)
  • Live Music & DJ’s
  • Non-Ski Events: Tubing, Sled Hockey
  • Free Hot Drinks and Snacks @ the Base (Tuesday – Sunday 0900 – 1500)
  • Inter-Service Branch Races: Thursday – Saturday 1000 – 1400
  • Group Photo Wednesday & Saturday at NOON
  • Yoga every Morning at 0900
  • Self Defense Saturday at 1500
  • Intimacy Training Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 10:00 & 1500
 
Volunteers deliver untiring encouragement and friendship
 
A devoted force of volunteers and specialized ski instructors offer one-on- one instruction, untiring encouragement, and loyal friendship. This bonding and mentorship are critical to the therapeutic value of the event. Using a volunteer team, Not Forgotten Outreach creates a week of events to connect the children and surviving spouses of the fallen, Active Duty & Veterans with others going through the same experience. The Military Families who attend our annual events walk away knowing they are not alone, and that we honor the sacrifice the Military Members made while serving our country. Want to Help? Click here.
 
About Taos Ski Valley
 
Located in northern New Mexico, Taos is one of North America’s premier ski and snowboard destinations, with more than 305 inches of average annual snowfall and more than 110 trails. Taos has a relaxed, friendly atmosphere, spectacular scenery, and amazing terrain, truly making it a world of its own. To learn more about Taos Ski Valley, please visit www.skitaos.com.
 
About Not Forgotten Outreach, Inc.
 
Not Forgotten Outreach, Inc. a 501(c)(3) is dedicated to motivating Military, Veterans & their Families and Gold Star families of fallen heroes to participate in recreational and/or therapeutic activities in order to facilitate the healing process. NFO provides opportunities to improve relationships, build comradeship and at the same time enhances “Mindfulness” and personal well-being. Serving over 3,600 Military Families in 2016. Further Questions, Sponsorship Opportunities please contact Don Peters, don@notforgottenoutreach.org (575).224.1503.
 
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