Lynnpro - December 2020

MAKINGWINTER SPORTSHISTORY

than 20 years, the snurfer became a huge hit. After Poppen licensed his invention to the Brunswick Corporation, over 750,000 units were sold.

SNOWBOARDING COMPANY WINTERSTICK In 1972, Dimitrije Milovich started the first snowboarding company: Winterstick. Wayne Stoveken first introduced snowboarding to Milovich in 1970, and from there, Milovich was hooked. Together, they opened Winterstick. After being featured in SKI and Newsweek magazines, the duo started getting more orders for their unique product. Unfortunately, the sport didn’t take off quickly enough, and Milovich shut down the business in the 1980s. Winterstick was later resurrected by another company and is now a successful snowboarding company. NATIONAL SNOW SURFING CHAMPIONSHIPS Champion snurfer Paul Graves organized the first known National Snow Surfing Championship in 1982. Despite its simple setup, 125 contestants showed up to participate in the contest. According to Smithsonian magazine, the event “helped put snowboarding on the map.” Jake Burton, snowboarder and founder of the popular brand that bears his name, took over the event the following year. He renamed it the U.S. Open Snowboarding Championship, which now draws riders from all over the world to participate, as well as thousands of spectators and fans. Since these three momentous occasions, the snowboarding industry has boomed. Now, the sport is enjoyed by people across the world, and it’s even become an event in the Winter Olympics.

Nothing beats breaking out the board and hitting the slopes when the mountains are covered in fresh powder. Snowboarding has become a beloved outdoor winter activity, and there were a few key moments that led to its current popularity. Here are three such moments. THE INVENTION OF SNURFING Although the origin story of snowboarding is still debated today, no one can deny that Sherman Poppen was an important individual in the creation of the board. On Christmas Day in 1965, Poppen decided to bind two skis together and let his children zip down the snow-covered hill near his backyard. Thus, “snurfing” — surfing on the snow — was born! Later, Poppen tweaked the design of his invention, swapping the two skis for one board and attaching a rope in the front to smooth out steering. In less

A HEARTWARMING STORY OF RECOVERY CUSTOMER SPOTLIGHT: HOW CAMERON SHAW OVERCAME ADDICTION — AND WHY HE NOW SELLS LYNNPRO T-SHIRTS

Is there anything more inspiring than someone turning their life around? We don’t think so! That’s why as soon as we heard our client Cameron Shaw’s story, we knew we had to share it. Cameron is the outreach coordinator for Wings of Life Recovery, a faith- based rehabilitation center for men, women, and married couples in Mobile, Alabama. Wings of Life helps people struggling with addiction get back on their feet with a 90-day recovery program and minister training. Cameron is passionate about its ability to spread hope — and he speaks from personal experience. “I myself came through the program four years ago,” he says. “I was a homeless addict and this place took me in with no money. I was here for four years, and I went and became a minister, then got my associate’s and bachelor’s degrees. I’m currently getting my master’s because of this program, this facility, this ministry, and by the grace of God.” It’s incredible that in 2016, Cameron was homeless and jobless, and now he’s a decorated graduate helping others achieve their dreams! Along the way, his pastor suggested that our T-shirts could help fund the mission of Wings of Life.

“The idea was to start selling shirts to help raise money for the ministry,” Cameron explains. “Now we sell shirts every weekend. I’ve been with Lynnpro for almost two years now, and Liz Holland is the sales rep I deal with. The company does great work and has great customer service.”

That personal attention really hit home for Cameron after a hurricane swept through Mobile.

“Recently, we had a hurricane, and Liz called and sent an email to check up on me and Wings of Life. I really appreciate that. Lynnpro will send thank-yous or appreciate cards, just to say that they appreciate you being a customer. Those things right there have a place in my heart,” he says, adding, “I’ve referred two other ministries to Lynnpro because of Lynnpro’s customer service and the quality of work. They’re very efficient.” It’s been a privilege to work with Cameron. His story is inspiring and so is the work he does at Wings of Life. We’re looking forward to helping with fundraisers for years to come!

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, call 251-333-4800 to find out more about Wings of Life.

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