Mt. Bachelor announces 2024/25 partners, Play Forever grant beneficiaries
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Mt. Bachelor is thrilled to announce Play Forever grant beneficiaries for 2024/25. Play Forever is Mt. Bachelor’s commitment to protect the environment and support the community.
This fall, the resort launched applications for three philanthropic initiatives: a $25k Play Forever Fund grant, Play Forever Thursdays, and the ongoing Play It Forward pass sales matching campaign.
Mt. Bachelor received over 70 applications, which were vetted by its Play Forever committee, with feedback from staff across all departments. The Bethlehem Inn was named the recipient of the $25k grant.
“Mt. Bachelor’s generous $25,000 donation comes at such a crucial time, and we are deeply grateful for their support,” said Gwenn Wysling, executive director of the Bethlehem Inn. “With the challenges of rising food prices, harsh winter weather approaching, and significant hardships for so many in our community, this contribution will help us continue to provide essential meals, safe shelter, and hope to those in need. As we celebrate 25 years of service, over 1.5 million meals served, and 500,000 safe nights of sleep provided, we’re reminded just how much we rely on the compassion of partners like Mt. Bachelor to make this vital work possible.”
This year, Play Forever Thursdays will feature a diverse group of Central Oregon-based non-profit organizations, some of which Mt. Bachelor has enjoyed long-term partnerships with, including Discover Your Forest and Oregon Adaptive Sports.
Play Forever Thursdays is an initiative offering discounted $99 lift tickets every Thursday in January, February, and March, with a portion of the proceeds from all ticket sales that day going to a different non-profit organization. Beneficiary organizations are invited to the resort on their respective Thursday to set up a table in the West Village Lodge and connect with Mt. Bachelor guests and staff to share information about their programs, services, and mission.
In 2023/24, Play Forever Thursdays generated $36,000. Guests can purchase Play Forever Thursday tickets on Mt. Bachelor’s website.
2024/25 Play Forever Thursday Schedule
- January 2: Oregon Adaptive Sports
- January 9: Discover Your Forest
- January 16: Central Oregon Community College Foundation
- January 23: Central Oregon Avalanche Center
- February 6: Brightside Animal Shelter
- February 13: Deschutes River Conservancy
- February 20: Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend
- February 27: Family Kitchen
- March 6: OUT Central Oregon
- March 13: NatureConnect Central Oregon
- March 20: The Giving Plate
- March 27: Think Wild
Guests can also choose to Play It Forward and donate $1 or more when purchasing any Mt. Bachelor ticket or pass online. 100% of guest contributions are donated to local non-profits selected by Mt. Bachelor employees, and Mt. Bachelor matches a portion of all guest donations.
Since 2022/23, Mt. Bachelor and guests have donated over $95,000 to the Central Oregon community through the Play It Forward pass sales matching campaign.
2024/25 Play It Forward Schedule:
- Oct/Nov/Dec: Furnish Hope/Family Kitchen/Giving Plate
- January: Central Oregon Avalanche Center
- February: Father's Group
- March: Ronald McDonald House of Bend
- April/May: The Environmental Center/Deschutes River Conservancy/Deschutes Land Trust
- June/July/Aug: Deschutes Trails Coalition/Central Oregon Trail Alliance
- September: NatureConnect of Central Oregon
To learn more about Mt. Bachelor’s Play Forever program, visit www.mtbachelor.com/playforever
