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Downhill and uplifting; Leaps of Faith hits the slopes for veterans

The non-profit ski program at Mount Southington keeps its mission on the move.

SOUTHINGTON, Conn. — For more than three decades, the Leaps of Faith Adaptive Skiers program has been offering ski lessons both on the water and atop the snow. 

Now that winter weather has officially arrived, Leaps of Faith instructors showed up on a recent Wednesday to offer a day of skiing for around ten area veterans. 

Leaps of Faith traditionally supports both mentally and physically challenged people but on Wednesdays in Winter at Mount Southington, they are all about serving the veterans.

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“Skiking is freedom, you’ve got to love it.," Peter Anderau, the lead instructor for Leaps of Faith said.

Anderau has as been with Leaps of Faith for the past ten years.

“I just think it (skiing) just raises spirits big time and they realize they can do things they thought they could never do," said Anderau.

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Johnny Vacca an Army veteran from Poughkeepsie has been coming to Mount Southington to be part of Leaps of Faith for years. 

Vacca, a below-the-knee amputee lost his leg 21 years ago battling Cancer but he is as enthusiastic about taking to the slopes as ever. 

"The best part for me is being able to do it and being able to do it again and again and again," Vacca said. 

Tom Murphy, who is a ski instructor and volunteer for Leaps of Faith from Brookfield said of his skiing students, “I think they just get enjoyment out of being outside and doing things that they normally wouldn’t be able to do.”

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“I would say it’s the warm feeling of helping people, it’s just great,"  Anderau said.

To learn more about the Leaps of Faith Adaptive Skiers program click here

Jimmy Altman is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at jaltman@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.

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