Members of the Colton-Pierrepont National Honor Society present Kellie Hitchman with the proceeds from the annual Hospice Challenge Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe-A-Thon. Photo by Melinda Miller, National Honor Society advisor.

COLTON -- Colton-Pierrepont National Honor Society students raised more than $1,300 to support Hospice this year from the recent Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe-a-thon at Higley Flow State Park.

Led by advisor Melinda Miller, students work all aspects of the event, including gathering donations from local businesses for refreshments and promoting the event at school and in the community with the goal to raise money to support the services Hospice provides for patients their families.

“The Hospice Challenge has been a project of the CPCS National Honor Society for several years. The weather always keeps things interesting for the group and participants, said Kellie Hitchman, director of development and community relations for Hospice said. Some years there hasn’t been enough snow to ski or snowshoe so we all enjoyed a nice winter hike. Other years the conditions are perfect. This year it was double digits below zero, but that didn’t stop the students who put time and effort into organizing the event or the participants who came to support Hospice. We had a great time.”

Hitchman said the following local businesses made donations: Kunoco, White's General Store, Chip's Place, the Canton and Potsdam Price Chopper, Kinney Drugs on Maple Street, Jeff Bristol, and Tisdel Associates. “We were also very grateful to the Friends of Higley Flow State Park for allowing us to use their beautiful lodge. This year, it was definitely essential to have a place to warm up. They also keep the trails in fantastic condition which adds to the enjoyment of participants” said Melinda Miller, NHS Advisor.

“Hospice enjoys working with this great group of youth each year. They truly understand our mission and why their help is so important,” said Hitchman.

“We are very grateful for the many participants who supported the group this year and, in turn supported the work of Hospice. Fundraisers such as this allow our staff to provide services beyond what is covered by insurance. This care is based directly around the needs of the patient and family. Additionally, community support allows Hospice to address areas of need in the community such as bereavement services and caregiver support groups. We are so grateful to have to opportunity to meet needs in the community that have otherwise been unfulfilled” she continued. “Our sincere thanks goes out to the Colton- Pierrepont National Honor Society and the community members who so generously supported the Ski and Snowshoe-A-Thon for many years,” she said.