Press Releases
WinterKids’ Carla Marcus Retires - Fran Mullin Appointed New Executive Director
December 11, 2007
PORTLAND, Maine—WinterKids, the Portland, Maine-based nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children and families stay active and healthy in the winter, today announced the retirement of founding Executive Director Carla Marcus, and the appointment of Frances Mullin to the top post.
Ms. Marcus has led WinterKids since its inception in 1997, growing it from a one-program, ski-oriented organization to an educational and community-directed institution whose programs now enjoy a national reach and serve nearly 30,000 children and their families in Maine alone. Ms. Mullin comes to WinterKids after successfully leading the Children’s Center in Augusta, Maine.
"While Carla’s departure marks the end of an era for WinterKids, Fran’s arrival heralds the beginning of a new one," said William Hall, president and chairman of WinterKids’ board of directors.
WinterKids initially managed solely the Fifth Grade Passport program in conjunction with just a few ski areas. Today, eleven years later, the WinterKids Passport program has expanded to include opportunities at 53 Maine recreational facilities for 5th, 6th and 7th grade students. The non-profit organization continues its dedication to helping children develop lifelong habits of health, education and physical fitness, and now also operates seven major community and in-school programs.
“Winter is Maine’s best and longest season and our children deserve to enjoy it,” said Marcus. “Each year, WinterKids helps more and more kids get off the couch and out into the snow, and I am honored to have been part of the organization since its beginning.”
"WinterKids’ growth under Carla’s leadership has been phenomenal," said Hall. "She has taken the organization from a seed, an idea, and developed it into a vital, far-reaching group that benefits the health and happiness of thousands of children and their families. Now, we’re lucky to have Fran Mullin stepping in as director, a leader who is wonderfully qualified to continue the organization’s growth and effectiveness."
Ms. Mullin brings to WinterKids a distinguished record of leadership. At the Children’s Center in Augusta, Maine, she supervised therapy, education and family support programs for children in nine counties. During her tenure, she markedly increased the Center’s private fundraising, and worked effectively with the community, businesses and government to enhance children’s services.
"WinterKids teaches kids that playing outdoors in the snow is exciting and cool," said Ms. Mullin, who has served on the boards of directors of the Maine School Health Education Coalition and the Maine Public Health Association, and volunteers with Saddleback Ski Patrol and Maine Handicapped Skiing. "I welcome the chance to help families resist the societal forces that are keeping kids inside and inactive. I’ve been impressed with WinterKids for years, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it."
Ms. Mullin arrives at WinterKids enthusiastic about its innovative educational
programs, including:
• WinterKids National Outdoor Learning Curriculum (OLC) teachers’ guide;
• WinterKidsActive Academic Workshops for educators;
• WinterKids World Class Athlete Tour: Bringing accomplished athletes into schools;
• WinterKids SnowSchool: Field trips to cross country and downhill ski areas to demonstrate real-world math and science applications;
• WinterKids Live!: Interactive musical performances that playfully demonstrate winter safety and proper dress;
• Welcome to Winter: Year-long programs and one-day festivals that help immigrant/refugee and low income populations live and thrive in winter climates;
• WinterKids Passport Program: Offering a whole season of free and discounted cross country and downhill skiing, ice skating, snowshoeing, tubing, tobogganing, and dog sledding for all Maine 5th, 6th, and 7th graders at 53 Maine recreational facilities.
"We have every confidence that Fran Mullin will draw from the solid foundation of programs and service that Carla Marcus has created and will dynamically expand WinterKids’ ability to positively influence the health and well-being of our children," said Bill Hall. "It is, of course, sad to have Carla leave us, but Fran’s arrival makes it a very exciting time, as well."
Governor Proclaims January as WinterKids Month
January 3, 2007
PORTLAND, Maine – Governor John Baldacci has proclaimed January as WinterKids month, saluting the non-profit’s endeavors in promoting healthy outdoor winter health and fitness for Maine children.
In his proclamation, Governor Baldacci cites WinterKids’ work combating inactivity and obesity, and its success in creating an environment of health and fitness for all Maine citizens. Governor Baldacci commented, “Winter provides challenges to the citizens of Maine to get outside and get active.” Many people choose to stay inside during the winter and, as a result, become more sedentary. This inactivity leads to the health issues facing the state today. Maine is experiencing dramatically increasing rates of childhood obesity, asthma, and Type 2 diabetes. Additionally, the physical fitness levels of Maine’s youth are among the lowest in the nation. These are pressing issues today, and their effects will have ramifications for the state in years to come — both financially and in the general health of Maine citizens. Whatever can be done to arrest this inactivity is critical.
WinterKids – Ten Years of Promoting Healthy, Outdoor Winter Fitness
Over the past ten years, WinterKids’ programs have helped to combat these health and inactivity issues, and provide opportunities for Maine kids and families to get outdoors and get active in the winter. It has become an integral part of thousands of Maine families’ winter lifestyle. Since the start of the 5th Grade Passport back in 1997, WinterKids has developed programs that get kids and families outside and active during the winter. In the 2005-2006 programming season, nearly 28,000 people directly participated in its programs. WinterKids works with the immigrant, refugee and low-income communities, delivering one-third of their programming to these groups.
WinterKids is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to help Maine children develop life-long habits of health, education and fitness through participation in outdoor winter activities. Seven programs serve children and their families, schools, and communities. WinterKids sponsors include: Healthy Maine Partnerships, Hannaford Supermarkets, L.L. Bean, TD Banknorth and Weight Watchers of Maine. For more information, visit www.winterkids.org or call Carla Marcus at 207-871-5700, x102.
