Way Station Founders
Rev. Gail Doktor
&
Pastor Nathan Hall
Placeholder for brief Bio.
A Little About Our Recipients
Terry O'Brien
In 1972, Terry’s parents, Dewy and Jean Mark, partnered with another couple to buy the Red Parka Pub, a name that stems from the red parka’s worn by ski instructors and patrollers around the world at that time. Shortly thereafter, Terry quit college and moved here to help her parents run the restaurant.
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At that time, the MWV was a primary destination for skiing, in fact, skiing was the driving industry in the valley. Summer was considered our “slow season”. Apres-ski was a way for skiers to share stories, get to know one another, and in general, just a way to gather after a day on the slopes—the Red Parka Pub became “that place”.
In 1973, one year after purchase, the Mark family, along with Tony Ferruolo, Dewy’s partner who ran Tyrol Ski Area in Jackson, started the Red Parka Challenge Cup Race, the premier New England amateur ski race, highlighting the ski industry here in the valley and allowing amateurs and Olympians to compete on the same course. This race is the longest running, pre-style, dual giant slalom ski race in the country and it attracts some of the best racers in the region, Leanne Smith and Tyler Palmer to name a few.
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In 1988, 37 years ago, Terry O’Brien took over management of the race with the help of local volunteers. In 1995, funds raised from the annual race were dedicated to the Eastern Slope Ski Club in honor of Judge William Paine, a great supporter of ESSC and engaging kids early on to ensure successful life outcomes. Each year the race raises thousands of dollars to provide ski lessons for elementary and middle school kids in the valley. With Terry’s leadership, the cup has raised over $500,000 to help with this initiative. Anyone who participated in the ESSC program in the last 30 years benefitted from the funds raised by the Red Parka Challenge Cup Race. This is literally thousands of children who may never have had the opportunity without this support.
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The Rotary Club of North Conway would like to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU to Terry for her leadership, driving young kids in the valley to love skiing and the mountain culture that the valley is so proud of. Without her hard work organizing this event, our kids would not be able to experience the industry that is the foundation of Mount Washington Valley.
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Fun Fact: In 1936, Eastern Slope Ski Club (ESSC) began weekly slalom races for junior skiers on the “Jones Place” property, currently the Red Jacket land, and prizes were a pair of skis donated by the Rotary Club of North Conway and Dartmouth College
Way Station
In 2019, Gail Doktor, minister at Jackson Community Church, and Nathan Hall, minister at Lutheran Church of the Nativity in N. Conway, started a charitable organization to meet the needs of community members struggling with housing and housing insecurity. This was the start of Way Station.
The Way Station provides assistance for daily survival that cannot be filled by other organizations or government agencies. Many of their clients are homeless and live out of their cars. Others have shelter but cannot afford food, utilities or gasoline to get to work—basic necessities.
The Way Station has been a God’s send, literally, helping with things like food, clothes, camping gear (like tents, sleeping bags, or cooking supplies), toiletries, gas cards, cell phone services, mail receptacles, laundry facilities, shelter and counseling. Referrals are made to agencies when appropriate for additional help. These are only a handful of the services this organization offers today, just five years after opening their doors.
A quote from a client, Doris, on NPR said: “If it wasn’t for this place, we’d be lost. They’ve helped us with a tent, gas card, food, and sleeping bags. They’ve helped us with everything.” Doris and her son were living in her car in various parking lots or camp grounds at the time.
What Gail and Nathan understood when they started Way Station was that when someone is in crisis, their immediate needs need to be tended to before they can move forward and realize lasting positive outcomes in their lives.
The Rotary Club of North Conway wans to THANK the Way Station, it’s founders, staff and volunteers for the profound impact they have on those they serve.
Fact: According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, 53% of people living in homeless shelters and 40% of people who unhoused, are employed.
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Source: https://endhomelessness.org/blog/employed-and-experiencing-homelessness-what-the-numbers-show/