EDITORS, NEWS DIRECTORS: There will be good feature and photo
opportunities from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (weather permitting) on Dec. 6, 7,
13 and 14 when U.Va. student volunteers train at Massanutten.

U.VA. STUDENT VOLUNTEERS HELP MAKE SKIING DREAMS COME TRUE

	CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Dec. 4 -- University of Virginia
students will help guide people with disabilities who want to ski over
snow-covered slopes this winter.  
        Through a new program at U.Va.'s Madison House volunteer
organization, students will help people with disabilities learn to ski
by assisting in the Massanutten Adaptive Ski School (MASS).  As a
first step toward serving as guides, the students will experience the
challenges of skiing when disabled.  During the next two weekends,
they will attempt to ski while blindfolded and while strapped on
sit-down skis. 
        U.Va. students have been volunteering with MASS for
nearly two decades, but a growing need to expand the program and give
it more structure led to a joint effort with Madison House, according
to Josh Sandbulte, student volunteer and founder of the Madison House
ski program.    
        Training for MASS begins the first weekend of December
with four sessions lasting from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  During the training,
students will become familiar with the equipment and learn how to
assist disabled skiers.  About 30 student volunteers will participate.
        "Encouraging the skiers is the most important element
that U.Va. volunteers bring to the program," said Sandbulte.
"Remaining positive is something that we stress because skiing is
challenging for anyone, especially for those with disabilities."
	"Sometimes persons with disabilities feel that they don't have
the opportunity to enjoy outdoor sports, but through our program, we
show them that their disabilities are not obstacles to fun," said Mark
Andrews, MASS director.  "The strong relationship that develops
between the guide and the skier is one that has a foundation based on
trust, continuous assessment, two-way communication and support.  The
time, enthusiasm and caring support of student volunteers can change
the lives of those they serve."
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                                                           Dec. 3, 1997
	For more information, contact Mark Andrews at (804) 295-3973
or Joshua Sandbulte at (804) 977-7051 or (804) 977-8569.
	Information about what's happening at the University of
Virginia can be found at U.Va.'s Top News site, updated daily:
http://www.virginia.edu/topnews/.