HAWYARD, Wis., Sept. 2005 -- During the past three years the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation (ABSF) has awarded $44,000 to regional organizations promoting the early development of healthy lifestyles thru cross-country skiing.

ABSF Skier Development Committee chairman Scott Chapin said more than 20 organizations have received funding through the Foundation.

"Several of these organizations have received multiple grants, and many of the recipients have been school Nordic skiing programs or nonprofit organizations that hold summer camps for coaches and skiers," Chapin said. "It's been a very fulfilling job supporting organizations that encourage youth to adopt cross-country skiing and healthy lifestyles. We hope to see some of the youth participate in future Birkebeiner or Kortelopet ski races."

Among recipients of grant dollars:

City of Lakes Nordic Ski Foundation, Minneapolis, Minn.: $2,500 to support their Bryn Mawr Skis Program to introduce a diverse group of inner city children to cross country skiing

CXC Skiing, Inc. (Central Cross Country Skiing), 10 state Central Region of the United States: $3,000 to support their Birkie Summer Camp

Spooner Middle School, Spooner, Wis.: $1,000 for the purchase of equipment

Drummond Area Nordic Ski Team, Drummond, Wis.: $1,500 for equipment

4-H CANSKI, Washburn, Wis.: $1,700 for the purchase of equipment

Hayward High School Nordic Ski Team, Hayward, Wis.: $3,000 for purchase of uniforms, coaches training, rollerskis

Spooner High School Nordic Ski Team, Spooner, Wis.: $500 for purchase of equipment

Wisconsin High School Nordic Ski League, Madison, Wis.: $1,000 to help defer costs associated with running the State Nordic Ski Meet

North Superior Ski and Run Club, Ely, Minn.: $1,000 for the purchase of uniforms

Birchwood Public Schools, Birchwood, Wis.: $1,000 for equipment

Rhinelander Nordic Ski Team, Rhinelander, Wis.: $1,500 for equipment

Wilmar Nordic Ski Club, Wilmar, Minn.: $750 for equipment

Lakeland Nordic Ski Team, Minocqua, Wis.: $1,000 for equipment

LCO Boys and Girls Club, Hayward, Wis.: $2,000 for equipment

B.A.S.T.A. (Bloomer Area Ski Trail Association), Bloomer, Wis.: $1,500 for equipment

Runestone Nordic Youth Ski Program: Alexandria, Minn.: $1,500 for equipment

Ely High School Nordic Ski Team, Ely, Minn.: $550 for equipment

To apply for a grant through the ABSF Skier Development Committee, log on to http://www.birkie.com/information/foundation.html to download a grant application. The committee reviews applications year-round, every other month.

The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation sponsors North America's largest and most prestigious cross-country ski marathon. Spanning 51 kilometers from Cable to Hayward, the Birkie is part of the esteemed Worldloppet series of 14 international races, part of the International Ski Federation (FIS) Marathon Cup series of eight races, and part of the American Ski Marathon series of 11 races.

Birkie 2006 festivities begin on Thursday, February 23 and continue through Saturday, February 25. In addition to the 51 kilometer Subaru American Birkebeiner and 23 kilometer State Bank of Drummond and Cable Area Chamber of Commerce Kortelopet ski races, Birkie 2006 features shorter races, events and festivities for more than 9,000 skiers and 15,000 spectators. Birkie festivities take place at Telemark Resort in Cable and on Main Street in Hayward.

For more information or to register for the Subaru American Birkebeiner, State Bank of Drummond and Cable Area Chamber of Commerce Kortelopet, Johnson Bank Prince Haakon 12K, Salomon Elite Sprints, Hayward Chamber of Commerce Citizen Sprints, Century Tel Junior Birkie, Cheqtel Communications 10K, or the Sons of Norway/Swiss Miss Barnebirkie, call 715-634-5025, e-mail birkie@birkie.com, or log on to www.birkie.com.