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Our End-of-year request...

12/15/2023

Dear Friends and Supporters,

As the year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey we've taken over the last 12 months with the Harold Hunter Foundation. While I initially wrote a comprehensive end-of-year letter to seek your support, recent experiences have prompted me to take a different route—a more heartwarming and celebratory one. (But you can still see videos and read about our impact this year here!)

This past Wednesday, amidst the hustle and bustle of the holidays in New York City, the Harold Hunter Foundation team gathered to review and celebrate some special moments of the past year. Our day began with a luncheon at our office, where staff and board members came together to share a meal and thoughts on the profound impact we've collectively made.

One poignant recollection centered around a young skater, known for his toughness at skate parks, who was observed giggling with other youngsters at camp—an 11-year-old finally able to let down his guard and be a child. Another memory from camp evoked the image of a young boy, initially fearful before boarding the bus for camp, only to be seen shedding tears of joy as camp concluded, holding an award and expressing disbelief that this incredible experience was coming to an end. One of our coaches shared her joy at remembering the reactions of new skaters trying out their boards during our clinics in Brownsville Brooklyn in partnership with the Chill Foundation. Another remembered the excitement of Harold Hunter Weekend, while a third talked of our Rider Development program participants at the Tampa Am this past fall. Successes with our growing Creative Career programs - an art exhibition and several career panels brought appreciation. And the moving stories shared during the Men’s Mental health panel at Red Bull’s office space impacted us all. The transformative power of our programs was palpable in these stories.

The day's festivities continued into the evening with a community celebration hosted at the Burton flagship store in Soho. This well-deserved party served as a tribute to the hard work and accomplishments achieved during our year of transition. Attendees were moved to tears as they watched remarkable videos showcasing the highlights of the year. We are thrilled to share these moments with you, and you can find the videos here. As I was leaving at the end of the evening, one Workforce Development participant, in the midst of his first paid internship program, stopped me to tell how much of a difference this opportunity has made. The stories go on and on.

As we approach the holidays, we are filled with gratitude for the support that has allowed us to create these transformative experiences for the skaters we serve. Your belief in our mission and commitment to fostering positive change in the lives of these skaters is the reason we can celebrate these heartwarming stories.

However, our programs need your financial support in order to continue to be so impactful. I’m hoping that this short letter has moved you to consider making an end of year gift to HHF! (If not, the videos here surely will!)

Please make your donation today!

Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a New Year filled with hope, inspiration, and the warmth that comes from making a difference in the lives of others.

With sincere thanks,

Barbara Heisler, Interim Executive Director
The Harold Hunter Foundation

SPOTLIGHT ON Coach Jeremiah

Our End-of-year request...

Harold Hunter Foundation

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