Greek Peak Mountain Resort’s Annual Donation Day Nets $16,650 for Local Food Pantry

December 28, 2024

CORTLAND, New York (December 28, 2024) – Central New York’s home mountain, Greek Peak, became a mountain of giving on Christmas Eve this week bringing thousands of snow enthusiasts to the slopes for a great cause to kick off the holiday season. An annual holiday tradition, Donation Day, has become an event that Greek Peak has supported for a number of years to help generate funds for the Virgil United Methodist Church’s food pantry.

The concept is simple enough. Lower the price of lift tickets down to $15 that day to drive people to the mountain in support of feeding thousands in our local community. This year, proceeds from the event netted $16,650 for the Virgil United Methodist Church’s food pantry efforts.

Wes Kryger, president of Greek Peak Mountain Resort, was thrilled by the size of the crowd this year, resulting in an increase in this year’s donation by nearly 25% over last year.

“I’m told that our annual Donation Day brings a good portion of the church’s annual food pantry budget,” said Kryger.  “With the great snow conditions, being Christmas Eve, and the huge crowds, everything really aligned perfectly this year to maximize the donation.” 

Between the cold temperatures for snow-making and the natural snow fall, Greek Peak has some of the best conditions they’ve had in years for Christmas week.  Chair 5, a favorite area of the mountain for Greek Peak guests, opened recently marking the first time in Kryger’s memory that all lifts were spinning for Christmas week.  “Let’s hope the weather keeps cooperating like this because when we get crowds like this for Donation Day, it’s a win for everyone.”