COUNT is dedicated to Volunteering and Outreach in the central Ohio area. The projects that we take on are those that help the world around us and positively affect the lives and reputations of atheists and other non-believers. We are one of Foundation Beyond Belief’s 125+ non-religious volunteer teams and have won several awards there. See https://www.meetup.com/Central-Ohio-United-Non-Theists-COUNT/.

COUNT and ASC: Volunteers from COUNT have been helping at Adaptive Sports Connection (ASC) events since August 2018. This chapter of Disabled Sports USA helps Ohio veterans, children, and adults who need adaptive equipment or instruction to participate in various sports including skiing, kayaking and cycling. Volunteers do not have to be experts at these sports or have equipment to help; some COUNT members have learned to ski or kayak while volunteering and ASC often provides equipment (kayaks, ski rentals, etc.). 13 COUNT members have participated in 52 ASC Cycling, Winter Sports, Kayaking and/or Sailing events, contributing 375 hours as of 2/22/2020.

Winter Sports: ASC maintains a substantial fleet of adaptive sit-down and standup equipment for novice skiers and snowboarders with various capabilities. Trained Winter Sports Volunteers assist lead instructors in giving 2-3 hour lessons to students with various handicaps, sometimes skiing behind and tethered to the student to control speed. Volunteers help assess students, select equipment, fit and adjust before the lesson and help during it. Students may be accompanied by a friend or family member who will learn how to assist with getting on and off lifts, etc. so that students can ski or snowboard without instructors.

Winter Sports with COUNT: Eight COUNT members have worked 266.5 hours at 28 ASC Winter Sports events (as of 2/22/2020) divided between training, lessons with students and clinics.

What (Else) Can You Do? While recruiting volunteers is our main focus, not everyone wants to help outdoors in cold weather. There are other ways you can help:

• Spread the word about ASC to family, friends and co-workers who might benefit from adaptive sports instruction. Many with disabilities are not aware of this great resource.
• Volunteer with COUNT/ASC in other ways, perhaps in off-slope roles or during another adaptive activity like kayaking or cycling.
• Recognize that many non-religious people are charitable and stick up for us when someone says otherwise.
• Donate to ASC here. This will not only help fund this great work but is another way to make folks aware of non-theist charity.