Hackley Senior Earns Medal for Service
Cory Gorczycki '19 received a Congressional Award Silver Medal which was presented to him by Congressman Leonard Lance of New Jersey at the NJ Congressional Award ceremony on Saturday, September 8, 2018, in Summit, NJ.
In July 2016, Cory started a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization called Ski4All to provide foster children and other disadvantaged youth with the opportunity to learn to ski for free. When his own grandparents died in 2015, he found skiing helped him to cope with his grief, and inspired by his grandparents’ legacy of community service and of giving their time to others, he decided to start a nonprofit to provide free ski days to other kids going through a difficult time who could not otherwise afford to ski--kids who are not included or targeted by existing outdoor recreation outreach programs. Cory’s research discovered that there was no ski organization working with children in foster care.
In Ski4All’s first winter (2016/17), Cory organized three ski days for children in foster care. During the second winter (2017/18), Cory expanded the number of ski days and the geographic reach. He organized nine ski days at six different mountains benefiting foster children in NJ, NY, and Massachusetts. Cory negotiated reduced rates for the lift tickets, equipment rental, and lessons; he has raised over $10,000 by presenting to businesses and organizations soliciting sponsorship as well as from individual donors; he uses the Ski4All website and social media to drive awareness.
Cory brings ski clothing along to the ski days for the children to use to keep warm and comfortable including the generous donations from the Hackley community when Cory led a ski clothing drive as part of the 2017's "Hack Gives Back" event.
The ski days boost the children's self-esteem as they learn a new sport; “Look, I did it!” is a frequent comment heard during the ski days.
Earlier this year Cory was selected to be an ambassador for the national "Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month" organization and was awarded a 2018 New Jersey State Governor's Jefferson Award for Public Service.
The Congressional Award is the United States Congress' only charity and the highest honor bestowed upon a youth civilian through the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Established by Congress in 1979, the Congressional Award recognizes initiative, service, and achievement.
In Ski4All’s first winter (2016/17), Cory organized three ski days for children in foster care. During the second winter (2017/18), Cory expanded the number of ski days and the geographic reach. He organized nine ski days at six different mountains benefiting foster children in NJ, NY, and Massachusetts. Cory negotiated reduced rates for the lift tickets, equipment rental, and lessons; he has raised over $10,000 by presenting to businesses and organizations soliciting sponsorship as well as from individual donors; he uses the Ski4All website and social media to drive awareness.
Cory brings ski clothing along to the ski days for the children to use to keep warm and comfortable including the generous donations from the Hackley community when Cory led a ski clothing drive as part of the 2017's "Hack Gives Back" event.
The ski days boost the children's self-esteem as they learn a new sport; “Look, I did it!” is a frequent comment heard during the ski days.
Earlier this year Cory was selected to be an ambassador for the national "Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month" organization and was awarded a 2018 New Jersey State Governor's Jefferson Award for Public Service.
The Congressional Award is the United States Congress' only charity and the highest honor bestowed upon a youth civilian through the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Established by Congress in 1979, the Congressional Award recognizes initiative, service, and achievement.
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