Sisters in Sports Gala Raises Funds for 2028 Paralympians

The air in the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley lobby is crisp, carrying the faint scent of pine and polished wood. It is Saturday, and the room is filling with a specific kind of energy: focused, warm, and deeply connected. Danelle Umstead, founder of Sisters in Sports, moves through the crowd with the quiet confidence of a former Paralympian ski racer. She is not just organizing an event; she is curating a space where the boundaries between past glory and future ambition blur. The foundation, born in 2020, has already touched the lives of eighty athletes, but the current moment is about the next wave. Thirty active members are here, their eyes fixed on the horizon of the 2028 Los Angeles Games and the 2030 Winter Olympics.

The theme for the evening is simple yet profound: “Then. Now. Next.” It is a timeline stitched together by the shared experience of women with disabilities in sport. Umstead speaks of building the community she wished had existed for herself, a sisterhood that offers more than just financial aid. It is a network of mentorship, mental performance coaching, and wellness resources. In a world that often overlooks these athletes, this room is a sanctuary. It is a place where a young girl struggling with the pressure of competition can hear, from a veteran medalist, the words: “I’ve been there too.” That single sentence, delivered with the weight of lived experience, can shift the entire trajectory of a life.

Auction Bids Fuel Mental Health

The event is a sensory feast, designed to engage every part of the attendee. The auction items are not just commodities; they are gateways to experiences. Tickets to see comedian Nikki Glaser in Salt Lake City sit beside a pair of earrings donated by O.C. Tanner. There is travel, there is 2026 Paralympic gear, and there is the chance to meet the athletes themselves. Every dollar raised, every bid placed, goes directly into the foundation’s core mission: supporting mental health and leadership development. The foundation facilitates connections with professional services, helping athletes navigate the unique stresses of financial insecurity, performance anxiety, and injury. It is a holistic approach that recognizes the athlete’s mind is as critical as their body.

Umstead emphasizes the importance of seeing these women firsthand. She invites guests to ask about their sports, to look at their medals, and to hear their stories. It is a call to witness the tangible results of community support. The foundation prioritizes ongoing mental health support, hosting group discussions that allow athletes to process the highs and lows of their journeys. This is not charity in the traditional sense; it is investment in human potential. The Park City community, as Umstead notes, has been a vital part of her own success. Now, that same love is being redirected to empower the next generation of Paralympians, ensuring they have the resources to compete at the highest level.

Honoring Past Champions and Future Hope

The gala brings together a unique cohort of athletes. There are those who have already competed in Milan Cortina, their medals fresh and their stories vivid. There are those with eyes set on the 2034 Games, dreaming of a future that is still taking shape. And there are those working toward LA 2028, balancing the present with the promise of tomorrow. This convergence creates a dynamic ecosystem of knowledge and inspiration. The older athletes serve as mentors, their experience a shield against the uncertainties of the sport. The younger athletes bring fresh energy, challenging the status quo and pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

The tradition of pin trading, inspired by the Olympics, continues at the event. It is a small ritual, but it carries a large symbolic weight. It represents the exchange of stories, the sharing of journeys, and the building of bonds that transcend competition. Umstead’s vision is clear: a sisterhood where women and girls with disabilities have access to everything they need to thrive. It is a community that stays beside them through the highs, the lows, and everything in between. As the evening progresses, the air in the room grows warmer, the conversations deeper. The support is palpable, a tangible force that will carry these athletes forward.

Community Love Powers the Mission

Danelle Umstead’s message is one of gratitude and forward momentum. She credits the Park City community for helping her become the athlete she is today. Now, she is asking for that same love to be extended to others. The sisters in sports foundation is more than an organization; it is a movement. It is a testament to the power of community, of shared purpose, and of unwavering support. The athletes who participate are not just competitors; they are leaders, mentors, and inspirations. They are shaping the future of Paralympic sport, one race, one jump, one moment at a time.

For those who wish to join this movement, the door is open. Donations and ticket purchases can be made at sistersinsportsfoundation.org/2026gala. The Park Record reports on this event as a crucial moment for the local sports community. It is a chance to be part of something larger than oneself, to contribute to the dreams of women who are rewriting the rules of sport. The evening will end with a sense of accomplishment, a feeling that together, they are building a future where disability is not a barrier, but a source of strength. The sisters in sports foundation is a beacon, a light that guides the way for all who dare to dream.