We'll drink to that

In October, instead of drinking just because, you can actually drink for a cause.

All month, Animas Brewing Co. will be donating a portion of proceeds from specially designated beers to at-risk youth. The fund-raiser is being held in conjunction with Therapeutic Wilderness Therapy Month, and money raised will go to the Jason William Hunt Foundation, which provides scholarships for wilderness therapy programs.

The foundation was started in 2003 by the family of Jason Hunt, an avid outdoorsman, climber and wilderness educator. Jason, who attended CSU, died in a climbing accident in 2001 at the age of 24.

“Many parents are unaware of these highly effective treatment programs,” Jason’s brother John Hunt said in an email. “It is our foundation’s mission to help parents become aware and to provide financial assistance as needed. We are thrilled to have Animas Brewing as part of our growing network of brewers helping us spread the word.”

 Wilderness treatment programs are effective in changing lives, he said, because youth learn to believe in themselves as they are faced with the natural challenges of living in the wilderness. “They learn respect for self, respect for others and to accept responsibility for their own actions, teamwork and confidence,” John said.

However, with a cost of $500 a day, these programs are often out of reach for many low-income kids. That’s where Durango and its love for tasty beer, helping others and the outdoors comes in. Simply buy one of the beers on the list, and enjoy the warm fuzzies that ensue from helping someone less fortunate – and from the frosty beverage.

For more on the Jason William Hunt Foundation, go to: www.jwhf.org.