He found skiing to be an invaluable way to help deal emotionally with his sadness and decided to take on the endeavor of startingthe nonprofit Ski4All to afford local kids in troubled situations afree ski day .

“ My grandfather , who passed away in 2015 , always stressed to me that it is important to share your passiontohelp others – especially thoseless fortunate ,” he says .“ Since skiing is one of my biggest passions , Ithought that giving a day of enjoyment on the slopestofoster children would be awonderful way to help people . When learning to ski , people are so focused on the skisand on the snow that they temporarily forget their problems . Making Ski4All areality is agreat way to honor my grandfather ’ s memory .”

Afamily friend who runs acharitable organization providedGorczycki with guidance and arelative instructed him on how to market the charity .

“ My parents have been verysupportive , especially in the initial setup of the charity and by driving me to numerous meetings and to the ski days . For several of these kids , the ski day is their one holiday ‘ experience wish ,’” he says . Tenacity played alargepart in bringing Gorczycki ’ s ideatofruition .

“ Initially , Ifaced abit of skepticism as some people can perceiveskiing as

just aluxury leisureactivity . However , once Ishare with them the physical and emotional health benefitsand joy that aday of skiing can bring to someone going through adifficult time , Iwin them overtothe idea every time ,” he says . “ And , sometimesitwas challenging to findthe rightindividual at acompany to authorize and make the decision to agreetosponsor Ski4All . Persistence and enthusiasm eventually got us there .”

His persistence and enthusiasm succeeded in inspiring several of his peerstojump on board and join in the cause .

“ My classmates at Hackleyhave been extremely supportive . In fact , they helped me organize aski clothing drive at the school so that Ski4All

can provide ski-day participants with the ski gloves , jackets and pants that they need to be warm and comfortable while learning to ski ,” he says . “ Also , some of my friends have offered to help out during future Ski4All ski days .”

The positive impact the ski days had on the kids , which Gorczycki saw first-hand , inspired him to expand the program . For the 2017-2018 ski season , he is looking to increasethe numberofski daysand include more mountains in the Northeast .

“ We are limited only by the funding that we can raise ,” he says . “ Ideally , I would like to obtaincorporate sponsors to fund aski day at amountain for a larger group of children .

“ Also , I ’ m inspiredbywhat TOMS has done to provide shoes to people in need . Iwould like to try to create a similar social responsibility program with aski company – tobeable to provide ski clothing to kids in need , to keep them warm when they aren ’ t skiing .

“ Seeing the smiles and pure joy on the faces of the kids while coming down the mountain on their first day of skiing is priceless . Iaminspired by their determinationtolearn something new – to keep getting up to try again ( and again ) after falling down in the snow .”

As the takeaway , Gorczyckisays , “ Helping kids , who would normally never have the opportunity , to ski and seeing how happy it makes them can be more exciting and provide agreatersense of accomplishment than skiing really grueling terrain myself .” ● For more information on Ski4All , visitski4all . org .

– DEIRDRE FLANAGAN WARD

COURTESY OF SANDEE SPRINGER