Northeast Passage

04/07/2026

THEN ➡️ NOW | “Your spark can become a flame and change everything." --E.D. Nixon

http://unh.edu/603/nep

04/07/2026

🔥 From Spark to Purpose…

When Lyric arrived at the University of New Hampshire, they were navigating more than just college life. Living with a spinal cord injury, they were searching for something many people with disabilities ask: Where do I belong?

That answer began with Northeast Passage.

What started with court sports—and a simple suggestion to try sled hockey—quickly became something more.

“Hockey… changed my outlook,” Lyric shared. “It shifted my mentality from feeling like I can’t move anymore to wondering how many new ways I can find to move.”

Through NEP, Lyric found community, confidence, and a new path forward—one that’s now leading them to pursue a career in Orthotics and Prosthetics.

“The presence of NEP at UNH hands down kept me in school… it helped me feel like I belong.”

From spark to transformation, Lyric is now carrying the torch forward. 🔥

Your support makes stories like this possible—helping more individuals discover new ways to move, connect, and belong.

The April 7-10 (603) Challenge is live! Today, every gift is matched up to $200 per donor until the $200,000 matching funds run out—give now: https://www.givecampus.com/schools/UniversityofNewHampshire/the-603-challenge-2026/pages/northeast-passage/?a=12274536


University of New Hampshire
UNH College of Health and Human Services
Recreation Management and Policy at UNH

04/07/2026

✨ It all started with a spark…
36 years ago, Northeast Passage was founded on a simple idea: everyone deserves access to barrier-free sports and recreation. Thanks to NEP founder Jill Gravink’s vision, that spark has grown into a movement impacting thousands of lives every year.

As Jill prepares for retirement, help us honor her legacy and keep the flame going. Watch how Jill’s vision ignited a wildfire of positive impact in this video and don't forget to support NEP during the (603) Challenge 🔥

It all starts now—April 7–10. Make your gift early—every donation today is matched up to $200 per donor until $200,000 in matching funds run out!

🎯 Help us unlock $42,750!
If we reach 400 donors by midnight on April 10, we secure bonus funding from generous supporters.

💙 Make your gift. Share the mission. Be part of what’s next.

Give Now: https://www.givecampus.com/schools/UniversityofNewHampshire/the-603-challenge-2026/pages/northeast-passage/?a=12274536


University of New Hampshire
UNH College of Health and Human Services
Recreation Management and Policy at UNH

https://youtu.be/TeACJ3Q4mYI

Northeast Passage started with a dream and grew into something much bigger.

04/07/2026

🚨 It’s Here! 🚨

The (603) Challenge starts right now — and we’re ready to ignite something powerful. 🔥

At Northeast Passage, it just takes a spark to open doors to opportunity, inclusion, and life-changing experiences through adaptive sports and recreation. Your support fuels that spark — helping individuals of all abilities discover where they belong and what’s possible.

From midnight to midnight, every gift makes an impact. And when you give during the (603) Challenge, you’re not just supporting Northeast Passage — you’re helping power the momentum of University of New Hampshire and unlocking bonus funds that go even further.

💛 Be one of the first to give.
🔥 Help us turn a spark into something unstoppable.

Giving Link [link in profile]: https://www.givecampus.com/schools/UniversityofNewHampshire/the-603-challenge-2026/pages/northeast-passage/?a=12274536

🔥 If we reach 400 individual donors by midnight on Friday Northeast Passage unlocks $42,750 pledged by our generous (603) Challenge underwriters:
RAWZ Natural Pet Food - $10,000 pledge
Joe Garofoli '81 - $10,000 pledge
Kathleen McKechnie '82, '91G - $6,500 pledge
John & Linda O'Connor '29P - $6,250 pledge
Newroads Distribution, LLC - $5,000 pledge
Anne & Michael McSally - $5,000 pledge


University of New Hampshire
UNH College of Health and Human Services
Recreation Management and Policy at UNH
RAWZ Natural Pet Food

04/06/2026

🔥 The April 7-10 (603) Challenge kicks off at midnight tonight! This is your chance to ignite your support to Northeast Passage with matching gifts and bonus funds. Whether you give $5, $50, or $500, every donation helps Northeast Passage reach our goal of 400 donors—unlocking $42,750 in bonus funds to directly support our programs. Be the Spark!💥

Tomorrow, every gift is matched up to $200 per donor until the $200,000 matching funds run out—give early!

Giving Link: https://www.givecampus.com/schools/UniversityofNewHampshire/the-603-challenge-2026/pages/northeast-passage/?a=12274536

🔥 Thank you to our generous (603) Challenge underwriters:
RAWZ Natural Pet Food - $10,000 pledge
Joe Garofoli '81 - $10,000 pledge
Kathleen McKechnie '82, '91G - $6,500 pledge
John & Linda O'Connor '29P - $6,250 pledge
Newroads Distribution, LLC - $5,000 pledge
Anne & Michael McSally - $5,000 pledge


University of New Hampshire
UNH College of Health and Human Services
Recreation Management and Policy at UNH
RAWZ Natural Pet Food

04/06/2026

🔥 Fuel the Fire... (603) Challenge Launches at Midnight!!! 🔥

University of New Hampshire
UNH College of Health and Human Services
Recreation Management and Policy at UNH

04/03/2026

🔥 The fire is about to be lit… 🔥

The (603) Challenge is coming April 7–10, and this year, Northeast Passage is bringing the heat. We’re also honoring an incredible legacy. Our founder and Executive Director, Jill Gravink, is preparing to retire—passing the torch after decades of building NEP into an incredible force of positive impact.

💥 During the (603) Challenge, your gift goes further than ever:
✨ Matching funds
✨ Bonus challenges
✨ Extra dollars added to your donation

Every contribution helps amplify your impact—fueling programs that change lives across our community.

🔥 Area Challenge – Help Us Unlock $42,750!
If we reach 400 donors by midnight on April 10, we unlock an additional $42,750 thanks to our generous underwriters:
RAWZ Natural Pet Food – $10,000
Joe Garofoli '81 – $10,000
Kathleen McKechnie '82, '91G – $6,500
John & Linda O'Connor '29P – $6,250
Newroads Distribution, LLC – $5,000
Anne & Michael McSally – $5,000

This is more than a fundraiser—it’s a chance to honor a legacy, ignite possibility, and ensure the fire continues to burn bright for generations to come.

🗓 Mark your calendar: April 7–10
Let’s show what this community can do.

# recreational therapy
University of New Hampshire
UNH College of Health and Human Services
Recreation Management and Policy at UNH
RAWZ Natural Pet Food
NewRoads Distribution

04/02/2026

⭐️ Another stellar weekend for Northeast Passage Sled Hockey! 🏒🔥

At the New England Sled Hockey Tournament—the nation’s oldest sled hockey tournament held at Amelia Park—NEP delivered a truly dominant performance from top to bottom.

Our two NEP adult teams battled their way through the senior division to meet in an all-NEP Championship game, finishing 1st and 2nd overall and showcasing the depth, talent, and competitiveness of our program.

On the junior side, NEP athletes teamed up with Spaulding to form a combined squad that fought hard all weekend and earned an impressive 2nd place finish.

And the impact went beyond the scoreboard…

Northeast Passage was honored with the 2026 Dale Wise Sportsmanship Award, recognizing the character, respect, and integrity our athletes and staff bring to the game every day. 🙌

From fierce competition to outstanding sportsmanship, this weekend was a powerful reminder of what makes NEP Sled Hockey so special. Go Wildcats!!!😼


Northeast Passage Sled Hockey

04/01/2026

🎉Per usual, our staff had full buy-in to our (603) Challenge shenanigans. Look for some fiery content coming out next week during the April 7-10 (603) Challenge 🔥🔥🔥

03/31/2026

🔥 Let's get fired up... It's almost time to give!!! 🔥


University of New Hampshire
UNH College of Health and Human Services
Recreation Management and Policy at UNH

03/30/2026

The NEP Wildcats brought the energy to the 2nd Annual LeClaire Invitational Power Soccer Tournament this weekend! ⚽🔥

Hosted by the Boston Breakers power soccer team and sponsored by the Boston Self Help Center, the competition was strong—and the Wildcats rose to the challenge.

Game Results:
💥 3-0 win vs. NE FC
🤝 1-1 tie vs. CVA
💪 2-1 hard-fought loss vs. CNY
🔥 3-0 win vs. Boston Breakers

👏 Shoutout to Adam Villeneuve for incredible goaltending—coming up big time and time again to keep NEP in every game.

Proud of this team and the way they continue to represent Northeast Passage! 😼


Northeast Passage Power Soccer

03/27/2026

The Northeast Passage Wildcats are headed to Boston this Sunday for a four-team power soccer tournament hosted by the Boston Breakers!

Our Wildcats are ready to hit the court, showcase their skills, and battle it out against some strong competition.

Let’s go, Wildcats! 💪⚽️


Northeast Passage Power Soccer