Annual Report
Fiscal Year 2023/2024
A Message from our Leaders
Thank you for taking the time to read our 2023/2024 Annual Report. We are proud to share with you some highlights of our accomplishments that demonstrate the huge impact we continue to make on the lives of people with disabilities through adaptive recreational sports and activities. This report is based on our fiscal year which runs from May 1, 2023, through April 30, 2024, featuring snapshots on the number and type of individuals we serve, our financials, some wonderful testimonials, our hard-working staff members who show up for our participants every single day and our generous donors and sponsors who support all that we do. As we prepare for our 17th winter season we reflect on the fact that we served 20% more individuals from the previous year with expanded overnight camp offerings at the STARS Ranch, year-round programming for our local youth, and horse therapy at the Zen Ranch. Our dedicated team of fulltime staff and our incredible volunteers, interns, and seasonal part-time staff work tirelessly to provide outstanding and transformative experiences for our participants and their family members who come to us from near and far. We are beyond grateful for the opportunity to engage with our community in ways that truly change lives and are so excited for a bright future of continued success.
Susan Petersen Executive Director
As the President of the Board, I am privileged to be a part of an organization in which I witness up front and close the dedication of our volunteers, the commitment of our staff, and the resilience of the participants we serve. The efforts of all these individuals are not only humbling but always lend perspective to what is important and what can make a difference in our community and well beyond the Yampa Valley. Together, we achieved remarkable milestones in 2024. I am also proud to share that our organization has never been in better financial condition. The STARS Ranch is now debt-free, providing a tremendous asset and facility for our participants, their families, and our community. All contributions to STARS now wholly support programming as our Ranch continues to provide a place where our participants and community can come together, create memories, and build resilience. We are incredibly grateful for our staff and the many volunteers who tirelessly support our mission and make the impossible possible. Thank you for your continued support and your steadfast belief in our mission.
Steve Tober Board President
Our Mission Vision & Values
MISSION: To empower and enrich lives through adaptive recreational activities
VISION: To provide life-changing experiences for participants
VALUES: Safety is the priority * Well-trained staff and volunteers * Accessibility for all seeking the opportunity to experience outdoor recreational sports * Increasing disability inclusion
OUR COMMUNITY BY NUMBERS
546
Total Number of Individuals Served
12,926
Total Number of Lesson Hours
3108
Total Number of Lessons Provided
Participant Percentages By Disabilty
Autism Spectrum Disorder: 27%
Cognitive: 65%
Hearing: 12%
Neuromuscular: 39%
Orthopedics: 16%
Vision: 8%
Other (Includes Cancer and Medical): 23%
5280
Total Number of Volunteer Hours
208
Total Number of Local Participants
112
Total Number of Veterans Served
86
Total Volunteers
Operating Income
Operational Expenses
From Their Perspective
“In September, the Alpine Mountain Ranch community came together for the STARS Farm to Barn fundraiser, celebrating resilience and generosity. Among the evening’s highlights was veteran Michael Murphy sharing his journey of recovery following a traumatic brain injury and significant vision loss during his Army service. Through STARS adaptive sports camps in Steamboat Springs, Michael rediscovered independence and joy, tackling challenges like snowboarding with determination and support. His story embodied the transformative power of STARS, inspiring all in attendance. Alpine Mountain Ranch guests contributed over $150,000, a testament to their commitment to making a difference. To our owners, the event was more than a fundraiser, it was a celebration of hope and human connection.”
Suzanne Schlicht Senior Vice President & Director of Sales
“Our
entire family is so thankful for STARS”
“We were so impressed with the entire program and believe it is one of the best adaptive programs in the country. Our son had a great time learning how to ski downhill. This was great for his confidence and for working towards skiing downhill independently one day. We will be back!”
Participants Father
VOLUNTEER WITH US
Volunteering with STARS is a meaningful and rewarding experience and a great way to give back to the community.
Contact us to learn more! (970) 870-1950 info@steamboatstars.com
STARS Staff
Susan Petersen Executive Director
Ruth Alexander Marketing/Outreach Manager
Tori Wilbur Operations Manager
Bailey Baker Operations Director
Miah Taylor Programs Manager
Melissa Pollack Programs & Special Olympics Coordinator
Board
Ron Southworth Programs Director
Laura Ying Project Manager
Donors
50,000
US Department of Veteran Affairs
Anonymous
Gail Jensen
SBNY - Jonathan and Mary Swain
$20,000-$49,999
Abigail Jensen
Andy Ostrognai and Carmen Schiffmann
David and Debbie Dacus
Joe and Michelle Kelly
Kettering Family Foundation
Larry and Lisa Jaynes
Scott and Janet McFarlane
Steamboat Springs Education Fund Board
Susan Larson
Zach Tidwell
$10,000-$19,990
Adam Feiges
Bryan and Audrey Wiggins
Chip Chamness
Craig-Scheckman Family Foundation
Don Godshaw
Ed and June MacArthur
Gay Roane
John and Chris Kelley
Lugano Diamonds & Jewelry Inc.
Mark and Mary Stevens
Myles and Terrell Sherman
Ned and Holly Scheetz
Paul and Katrina Gatti
Routt County Human Resource Coalition
Scott and Cindy MacGray
Skip and Vivian Curry
Tamara Miller
Yampa Valley Balloon Rodeo
$5,000-$9,999
Anschutz Family Foundation
Alpine Bank
Anonymous
Bill Riordan
Blaise and Leslie Carrig
Chris and Kristin Serbousek
Chris and Suzi Nyby
Craig MacNab
Cummings Christensen Family Foundation
David and Jamie Lamb
David Koczera
Doug and Kay Rawlings
El Pomar Foundation
Gary and Nancy Scholten
Jeff and Sally Messinger
Jeffery and Brooke Fesperman
Jim and MaryLynn Hansen
John and Christie Olsen
Karen Stone Foundation
Ken and Lori Hiltz
Kristine Bensler
LONG Building Technologies
Maria Gotsch
Mike and Mary Kahler
Mike Helmuth
Ned and Holly Scheetz
Nick and Tracy Metzler
Rick and Robin Fort
Rocky Mountain Health Foundation
Scott and Heidi Powell
Steamboat Alpine Development
Tom and Ashley Potter
William and Cindy Fox
Yampa Valley Bank
Yampa Valley Community Foundation
$1,000-$4,999
Alpine Lumber
American Fundraising Foundation
Amie Cavarra
Amy and Barbara Witherite
Andrew and Charis Petty
Anonymous
Barry and Linda Rowan
Bob and Nancy Ehle
Boyd Bass & Barbara Winternitz
Brad and Kathy Iversen
Brian and Debra Menk
Brian and Shannah Frambes
Brian and Stephanie Smith
Bruce Carlock
Bryan Roos
Charles Smith
Chris and Meg Cummings
Chris Kaminski
Chuck and Carrie Reuben
Crescent Ski Council
Dan Timm
Daniel Bruce
Dave Barnes
Denny and Olivia Kimmeth
Don Eden
Donna Garth
Doug and Jennifer Johnson
Eileen Diamond
Flatland Ski Association
Frank and Linda Trippett
Fred Shvetz
Gerry and Diane Wendel
Head USA
HLCC Construction Company
Hooper Scoggins
Janet and Tim Borden
Jeff and Laura Bass
Jill and Ren Metzler Cannon
Joe Weismantel and Jennifer Wyatt
John and Cynthia Adams
John and Pam Teresinski
John Grace
Joseph and Adrienne Dworak
Joseph Ruble Charitable Fund
Katherine Smith
Eileen Diamond
Flatland Ski Association
Frank and Linda Trippett
Fred Shvetz
Gerry and Diane Wendel
Head USA
HLCC Construction Company
Hooper Scoggins
Janet and Tim Borden
Jeff and Laura Bass
Jill and Ren Metzler Cannon
Joe Weismantel and Jennifer Wyatt
John and Cynthia Adams
John and Pam Teresinski
John Grace
Joseph and Adrienne Dworak
Joseph Ruble Charitable Fund
Katherine Smith
Kona and Kellie Ward
Kurt and Sue Jaggers
Landmark Consultants Inc
Lindsey Hughes
Lisa Jaynes
Mark and Charlene Rosenblatt
MaryAnn Rhoades
Mary-Claxton Gatti
Matt Teresinski
McCreight Progressive Dentistry
Melissa Eliot
Michael B. Morrow Foundation
Michael and Cindy Kraft
Michael Rocereta
Nicholas Schoewe
Nick Krier
Patricia Parkhouse
Rene and Mary Lorenz
Richard and Dana LaChapelle
Richard Braemer
Rick Keim
Ron and Susan Davies
Konussell and Carol Atha
Scott and Erin Calkins
Scott and Laura Sallah
Scott and Leslie Alperin
Steve and Kristina Tober
Steve and Pam Williams
Steven and Adrienne Southworth
Steven and Kelly Bloom
Susan Bridges
Susan Rebell
Susan Starr
Tatar Family Foundation
Ted and Annette Kahn
Teresa Galgano
Teresa Taylor
Terry Huffington
Tom and Marci Valicenti
Tony and Emily Seaver
Troy and Adonna Allen
UC Health Community Partnerships
Victor Faralli
William and Susan Friesell
William Golden
$250-$999
AJ Summers
Ali Bandell
Alice Smith
Allen Lazenby Jr
Amy & Boys
Anonymous
Aragon State Farm Insurance
Ari Hoffman
Aric Cunningham
Barbara Ganong
Bette G Hoffman
Blaine Horner
Brian O'Connell
Bryan McLean
Cam and Jill Boyd
Caroline Burton
Charles and Susan Boynton
Charlie Dresen
Cheryl Wolf
Chris and Ann Hanrahan
Chris and Delphine Kahler
Chris and Kirstin Heinritz
Chris Bell
Christy Sports
Clark Boudreaux
Colorado Gives Comm 1st Foundation
Cook Chevrolet
Corky Wharton
Daniel Perkins
Daniella and Skyler Place
David C Mattson
Debra Hoffman
Denise Wynne
Devon Evans
Diane Halvorson
Dominic Boomgarden
Donna Henderson
Douglas Jackson
Douglas Scott
Eileen Ryan
Eric Verploeg and Sunny Owens
Erin Kalaway
Frank Becker
Friends of Perry Mansfield
Geoff Hollister
Gerald Miller
Gillian Morris
Graham Burton
Greg Buck
Greg Card
Hal Schlicht
Hans and Heidi Berend
Heart of Steamboat United Methodist Women
Helene Hibbard
Henry and Tawnya Fabian
Jack Dysart
Jamie Paley
Jay Neese
Jays Roadhouse and Pharmacy,
Jeffrey and Debra Hoffman
Jeffrey Early
Jenna Burton
Jennifer Schrader
Jerry Albers
Jim Hoffman
John & Betsy Massie
John and Mandy Petree
John and Nancy Merrill
John and Patty Kerst
John and Sheila Kitlen
John Jensen
John Williams
Jon Kocik
Jon Greenfield
Jon Mortensen
Kaitlin Hollister
Kelli Nelsen
Kelly Faughnan
Kevin Riegler
Kiara Walker
Kris Zimmerman
Kristen & T Freytag
Kurt and Cynthia Wassenaar
Larry and Kay Edwards
Lesa and Ken Carpinello
Lindsay Grant
Lynna Broyles
Maria Bieber/Forum Engraving
Mark and Elizabeth Rowan
Mark Chamberlin
Mark Clavenna
Mark Smith
Mason Markle
Matthew and Brittany Markle
Mat Birkeness
Melissa Rackoff
Michael Mallick
Michael Munn
Michael Osterman
Mike and Erin Steinlage
Mona Gibson
Monia Joblin
Paige Kirchner
Pamela Schlenzig
Paul Franklin
Paul Matheny
Pediatrics of Steamboat
PJ Wharton
Quentin and Janice Danser
Richard and Karen Whitney
Richard and Lori GrantRichard
Baynes
Richard Morse
Ricky Brooks
Riley Garrigan
Rob Perlman
Robert Bielski
Roberta Smith
Roger Knight
Rumor Designs
Scott and Anissa
Sharon and Robert Mattison
Smartwool
Steamboat Ace Hardware
Steamboat Comedy
Steamboat Rentals
Steve and Joanne Downes
Steve Bernstein
Steve Halmos
Susie Jackson
Tater Williams
Terri Ganch
Thomas Kelly
Tim Faulkner
TK Wright
Todd Hayes
Trish Sullivan
Yampa Valley Veterinary Services
In Honor Of
Adele Baumert
The Blalock Family
Barbara Lamb and Bruce James
Bill and Jayne McCawley
Bill Riordan
Cara Rackoff
Celia Vann
Donna Ahlstrand
Doug Kling
Gail Jensen
Gloria and Bruce James
Jean Field
Jeffrey Krauthamer
Luke Tober
Mark H Zimmerman
Nancy Westphale
Ollie Cohen
Paul and Katrina Gatti
Ron Southworth
Steve Nose
Susan Petersen
Theo Giattini
In Kind Donations
Abby Jensen Photography
AmFund
Billy Petersen
Brush Creek Ranch & Distillery
Christy Sports
Hala Gear Space
Hilton Sedona
Honeystinger
Lost Range CBD
Lugano Diamonds
Mark & Charlene Rosenblatt
Mark & Mary Stevens
Old Town Hot Springs
One Steamboat Place
Powder Day Painting
Power Day Donuts
Rex's Family Restaurants
Sheraton Steamboat
Steamboat Powdercats
Steamboat Radio
Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation
Steamboat Snow Bowl
Storm Mountain Ranch
Storm Peak Brewery
Timbers Resort
Tom Wyman
