Kari made the US Archery Team, now what?

Dear Friends and Family,

I hope this message finds you well. Today, I am reaching out with a request that holds great significance for our family. Kari has been granted an extraordinary opportunity – she has earned a spot on the 2024 USA Archery Team and will be representing our country at the Pan American Championship in Medellin, Colombia this April.

Kari's journey in archery began in 2019, sparked by a unique realization. Running a quilting business and spending hours upon hours handstitching over a quilting hoop, she faced chronic neck and back issues. It was the stretching motion, akin to an archer's draw, that provided relief and led her to pursue archery – a dream inspired by childhood memories of watching Robin Hood and swashbuckling adventure movies on AMC with her grandfather.

In a short span, Kari's passion and natural talent have shone brightly. She has become the back-to-back-to-back New Hampshire Indoor and Outdoor Barebow State Champion, secured a gold medal in the Women's Team event at the 2022 USA Archery Target Nationals, and is the reigning 2023 USA Archery Field Champion. Beyond these accolades, archery has connected her with some of the finest archers worldwide, who now count among her mentors and friends.

The invitation to join Team USA came as a delightful surprise. However, this milestone is also a challenge. Archery, being a minimally sponsored sport, necessitates that athletes self-fund their participation in international competitions. We are now faced with the task of ensuring Kari makes it to Medellin and has the necessary equipment to compete at her best. Last year, a critical equipment failure nearly cut her championship journey short – a reminder of the unpredictability of the sport.

We are seeking your support to help cover the expenses of this incredible opportunity. Our fundraising target is $7,500, which will assist with travel, equipment, and preparation costs. Any additional funds raised will contribute towards her defending her title at the US National Field Championship later this year.

Any support, no matter the size, will be immensely appreciated. Whether it is financial assistance or keeping Kari in your thoughts and hearts as she embarks on this once-in-a-lifetime experience, we are grateful. Having the honor of representing the United States, and wearing the Team USA jersey, is the culmination of years of dreams and effort.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for considering our request. Your support means the world to us and will play a crucial part in Kari's journey to the Pan American Championship.

With heartfelt thanks, Kari and Jim