Like almost every other organization you know, the Multnomah Athletic Foundation has had to pivot and find new ways to continue awarding grants and scholarships, executing programs and fundraising amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year’s 61 scholarship recipients did not get to have the usual Scholarship Celebration event but MAF made sure to celebrate each of them. In a typical year, students and their families come together to celebrate their accomplishment over food and games. This annual tradition brings students, fans and volunteers together in one place.
“We knew we couldn’t meet in person, but it was still important for us to find a way to celebrate these amazing students,” said Rebecca Roberts, board member and chair of the scholarship event. “These students persevered through the end of the year with distanced learning and
we knew we just had to find a way to celebrate this experience.”
MAF volunteers stopped by each recipient’s house for some socially distanced one-on-one time and delivered a bag of goodies along with balloons and a yard sign so recipients could share their accomplishments with their neighbors, friends and family.
So, what’s next? Spin-A-Thon!
The Spin-A-Thon will change gears this year and become a hybrid week-long event with the same fun and support for the foundation’s community grant funding. There will, of course, be five spin classes aka THE RIDE. And new for 2021 is THE MOVE — a way to participate in whatever way you can. This is the opportunity to take part in other activities like running, walking, yoga, skiing or any favorite way to be active. Your families, friends, work colleagues — here and anywhere — are encouraged to join in and be active!
The virtual kick-off will be Jan. 28, 2021, where you can learn more about this year’s event and register. This year’s event is Feb. 14 – 20 with a wrap up at the end of the week. Online registration for the Spin-A-Thon begins Jan. 1, all of the links and information can be found on our events page.
To see the full annual report click here.