Age: 11   
Hometown: Saratoga Springs    
School:  Dorothy Nolan Elementary School
Community Involvement: Double H Ranch

Kids with chronic and serious illnesses deal with enough on a daily basis—why shouldn’t they be able to participate in winter sports like everyone else? This is the line of thinking that encouraged Lena Stein, an 11-year-old 5th grader at Dorothy Nolan Elementary School, to raise money for Double H Ranch’s Adaptive Winter Sports Program, which allows children facing health issues to ski in a safe yet fun environment.

As an avid skier herself, Lena is putting the “fun” into fundraising by hosting a kids’ “fun run” ski race (with costumes encouraged, of course). 

“I want to host a ski race for Double H Ranch because I love skiing, and I want to share that feeling with kids who face extra challenges,” says Lena. “Everyone deserves the chance to have fun in the snow, and this is my way of helping make that happen.”

The elementary schooler is already coordinating with local mountains about hosting the event next winter, and she’s also in pursuit of sponsors, with two secured already. Kids ages 7 and up are invited to participate—and, who knows? Maybe they’ll leave inspired to make a difference in their own way.  

This feature is part of a series in which we feature 12 young people from Saratoga Springs and the Capital Region who are making their communities a better place. Know a kid who fits the bill? Send their story to editorial@saratogaliving.com for a chance to be featured in a future issue!