SHELBURNE, VT – Make-A-Wish Vermont & Northeast New York announced today that the 17th Annual Beat the Winter Blues event, held annually by volunteers in Franklin County, raised $105,577.86 to support wishes for children with critical illnesses, setting a new fundraising record for the community-driven event.

Event organizers Adam Kane and Andrea Sartwell presented the check to Jamie Hathaway, President & CEO of Make-A-Wish Vermont & Northeast New York, during a special ceremony at the Vermont Wishing Space located in the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory in Shelburne. Representatives from Haddad Subaru, a major event sponsor, along with Make-A-Wish staff and board members, were in attendance.

The April 5th event, held at Highgate Arena in Highgate, Vermont, attracted more than 500 attendees, its largest crowd to date. Throughout its 17-year history, founded by Patty Rainville of Highgate, Vermont, Beat the Winter Blues has raised nearly $500,000 for Make-A-Wish, helping to fund life-changing wishes for children facing critical illnesses across the region.

"What this community has accomplished over 17 years with Beat the Winter Blues is nothing short of remarkable," said Jamie Hathaway, President & CEO of Make-A-Wish Vermont & Northeast New York. "We're especially grateful to Adam Kane and Andrea Sartwell for their leadership these past two years, continuing the tremendous legacy that Patty Rainville established."

Event organizers Adam Kane and Andrea Sartwell reflected on the community effort behind this year's success: "After last year's event, we set the bar high for ourselves and had the goal of exceeding last year's donation of $60,000. With the help of Sarah Kane, Dawn Fournier, and Sarah Noel, we can say that the event was nothing short of amazing and the proceeds will grant several wishes. We would like to acknowledge that this accomplishment would not have been possible without the kindness and support of numerous businesses and community members, and for that, we are deeply grateful."

A highlight of this year's event was the powerful testimony from Ashley Maskell, mother of Wish Kids Adasyn and Raelyn. Maskell shared her family's journey with CMMRD, a rare genetic condition that led to Adasyn's colon cancer diagnosis and requires ongoing medical surveillance for both daughters. She spoke about how the wish experience brought essential moments of joy and hope during their challenging medical journey.

The annual Beat the Winter Blues event has become a beloved tradition in the Highgate community, combining entertainment, auctions, and community spirit to support the Make-A-Wish mission. To stay up to date on their events, please visit the Beat the Winter Blues Facebook page. 

If you're interested in supporting Beat the Winter Blues contact Andrea and Adam at: beatthewinterblues24@gmail.com.

About Make-A-Wish Vermont & Northeast New York

Make-A-Wish Vermont & Northeast New York is a nonprofit organization dedicated to granting life-changing wishes to provide hope, strength, and joy throughout the healing process. Operating from Wishing Spaces in Shelburne, Vermont and Saratoga Springs, New York, the chapter has granted nearly 3,500 wishes since 1986. With the support of generous donors, volunteers, and community partners, we serve Wish Kids across a community spanning 20,000 square miles throughout Vermont and 15 counties in Northeast New York. To learn more visit www.vtny.wish.org.