Thank you to our business and foundation supporters!
Summit Team ($5,000+ in contributions): The Doris L. Benz Foundation Evenor Armington Foundation Finish Line Youth Foundation The Great Circle Foundation The Kendal C. and Anna Ham Charitable Foundation Mountain Hardwear Gives Back Program The Nelson Charitable Foundation The New Hampshire Electric Coop Foundation New Balance Nike Back Your Block Program The Robert and Dorothy Goldberg Foundation Ronald McDonald House Charities The Stare Fund View The Prow ($1,000+) and Recompense ($250-999) Level Supporters here . Read about 2011 Business Alliance/Sponsor Opportunities
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"Rock climbing is like chasing your dreams, because you know you want to get to the top, and at the top is conquering something new that was your dream. Or you can make it into something else that you want to do in the future." -A Kismet Student
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"Kismet has changed me. It has helped me to grow into the person I am today. Before I attended the program, I never really had the opportunity to go into nature and to see the beauty of northern New Hampshire. One of the ways I have changed in my life is being more patient with people and being more understanding of other people's feelings. It was almost as if I was enriched by the mountains. It also helped me to know that I was cared about a great deal by the staff and other kids." -A Kismet Student
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Greetings!
Snow is falling on Mount Washington as I write this, but it's also possible to rock climb on the drier and sunnier local cliffs. Climbers throughout the Northeast are jumping at the chance to get out before the brunt of bug season hits. Besides being just plain fun, rock climbing offers many benefits; whether that's getting back in shape, enjoying the outdoors, or the mental challenge. Many of us are lucky to live near the cliffs or have the ability to visit when we want; making rock climbing a part of our lives.
Kismet Rock Foundation is entering it's 12th season of offering a climbing educational experience to children from all over the Northeast. These are children who normally wouldn't be able to benefit from the experience of rock climbing. As you climb yo  ur first pitch this spring, I hope you'll keep Kismet in the back of your mind and think about supporting this great organization. Kismet offers students a full scholarship and your financial support is critical to our success.
This is an exciting year for Kismet. Check out this newsletter for program information from Founder and Program Director Michael Jewell. Kismet is also under new leadership with the hiring of Alyssa Jones as Executive Director, see Alyssa's bio in this newsletter and visit the Kismet website for more information. Thanks for your support,
Brian Post
Chair, Kismet Board of Directors
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Kismet welcomes new Executive Director Alyssa Jones
Alyssa is thrilled to have joined the year-round staff team as the Executive Director. A public educator for the past 10 years, Alyssa is a graduate of the University of Virginia with a BA in English Literature and an MAT from Tufts University. Alyssa has taught in Philadelphia, PA and most recently in Gorham, NH. In addition to teaching, Alyssa has also worked as a nonprofit grant writer, guided teenagers on month-long backpacking trips, and spent time learning Spanish. Alyssa lives in Jackson with her fiance Brian Walker, whom she will marry this upcoming May 14! She enjoys running, backpacking, hiking, skiing, and anything else in the outdoors. She is looking forward to leading Kismet to new and creative successes, and is anxious to improve her climbing skills! Please join us to welcome Alyssa at the Flatbread Company North Conway fundraiser night on Thursday May 19!
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Meet the Challenge...get a free large Flatbread pizza, Frontside espresso drink and more!
Donation totals have been significantly lower than past years thus far in 2011. So to encourage new and renewed support for the summer program season, the Kismet Board of Directors will generously match all donations made before June 1, up to $6,300. Thank you, Kismet Board of Directors!
Plus, all donors of $100+ and all Anchor Team Monthly Giving Program donors of any amount will receive Kismet's new Village Variety Pass. The pass gets you a free large pizza from Flatbread Company, a free 12- or 16-ounce espresso-based drink from Frontside Grind and 10% off all shopping until September 1 at International Mountain Equipment! This offer is good only until August 1, 2011. Learn more: Village Variety Pass Press Releases
Please donate today, and tell your friends and colleagues about these opportunities (perhaps by using the 'forward button' at the bottom of this email) and help us get back on track for meeting our 2011 budget!
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Show your Affinity for Kismet with TD Bank
TD Bank's generous Affinity Program is a unique way to donate to Kismet without having to spend your own money. After 50 TD Bank members show their "affinity" for Kismet by signing up, TD Bank will make an annual donation to Kismet based on a percentage of the average balances of all the linked accounts. All you have to do is set up your current or new TD checking or s avings account with the FREE Affinity program.
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Flatbread Fundraiser May 19th! 
Join us on May 19th at Flatbread--one of Kismet's most consistent supporters. There will be a silent auction, gift certificates, and of course, fabulous Flatbread pizza! Kismet's new Executive Director, Alyssa (see above), will be present to meet the Kismet family, so please join us there to give her a warm welcome! Flatbread Company will donate a portion of every single flatbread sold to Kismet. Read More
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Kismet and the Flow of Capital by Mike Jewell
Kismet is transforming the lives of children who have little opportunity to develop their potential. This is what our students are telling us: that they wouldn't be who they are without Kismet; that we are their second family (or, in some cases, their only family); that they feel empowered to do great things in their lives because of us. Thus, Kismet is investing in the future of its students and investing in the future of our society.
In the U.S. economy, there are three major routes in which money flows. First is a well-functioning free enterprise economy that creates jobs. Second is a welfare system that is meant to be a safety net for those who are the most vulnerable among us (in particular, children and the aged). Third are non profit organizations which allow people to bypass the filter of government by directing resources to causes that resonate in their hearts and minds. The first two avenues for the flow of resources are at risk and sputtering in our current economy. Non profit organizations play an even more important role in our society than ever before because they provide a pipeline from the m
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ost blessed and successful among us to those who are most in need.
It is during periods such the one we are now experiencing that non profit organizations are particularly in need of support. Feel freeto discuss this or other topics in more detail with Mike, Kismet's Founder and Program Director, by emailing him.
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SOLO continues partnership with Kismet
This summer's Kismet students will continue to work with Stonehearth Open Learning Opportunities (SOLO) to learn wilderness medicine. Students will spend four hours each week with dedicated SOLO volunteers, who will offer an intensive introduction to wilderness medical training. Students in their second, third and fourth years will learn new information each year. Thanks to Lee Frizzell, Loretta Schulte, Nickie Sekera and the rest of the folks at the SOLO office in Conway for making this possible.
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