Nick Fuller, steadfast BOEC volunteer and outdoor enthusiast.
In recognition of Veteran’s Day, we are excited to feature Nick Fuller, BOEC volunteer and US Army veteran in our series, It’s The People Who Make BOEC Special.
Growing up in Iowa, Nick Fuller found joy in the winters, especially when they involved skiing adventures. He fondly remembers skiing on little plastic skis behind a snowmobile, which almost always ended up in a major crash. He learned to ski at the Galena Ski Resort in Galena, Illinois when he was about 11 years old. Recalling that time in his young life, he explains,
“My older sister would let us tag along with her friends. Like expected for a 21 year old, she would leave me to myself, and I would have a lot of fun! The equipment was pretty bad, it was when skis had a metal plate on the bottom of the boot that clicked into the binding. A strap wrapped around your leg, and that was it.”
After attending the University of Iowa, he joined the Army and he and his wife, Elise, were eventually assigned to Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colorado. During their time in Colorado Springs, they enjoyed various outdoor activities and both really got into skiing in the late 1990’s. They enjoyed Colorado so much that they decided to retire from the Army and become full time residents of Colorado Springs. When he retired in early 2023, they were longing for more time in the mountains, so moving to Summit County was the logical next step.
Nick has been passionate about volunteering for years, dedicating his time to organizations like the Special Olympics and the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes. Over dinner with friends one evening, the idea of moving to Summit County came up, sparking his interest in the work of BOEC. Drawn to BOEC’s mission and outdoor focus, he explains,
“BOEC was a nice fit for my desire to be outside and active. I have not had a chance to volunteer with veterans in the past, and BOEC is an excellent opportunity to support a group of people I have a place in my heart for.”
Nick volunteering on a mono-ski lesson with instructor Frank Martinez and mono-skier Jeffrey Buckwalter.
Among the experiences he enjoys at the BOEC, helping the interns with their lessons has been especially rewarding for him. One of his favorite days was volunteering on a lesson with a young girl from Florida. Nick explains, “She was here for the week with her family. She was just so full of joy and happiness and love for her parents and siblings. Every day, we skied with a different family member who were all so supportive and loving for her.”
Nick was awarded BOEC Rookie Volunteer of the Year in 2024 for his incredible service to the BOEC. Adaptive Ski and Snowboard Director, Jeff Inouye, elaborates on why Nick was chosen for this award,
“Last season was Nick’s first time volunteering for our Adaptive Ski and Snowboard Program. He brought enthusiasm and energy to each day he volunteered. He is always very engaged and enjoys interacting with the participants that he is working with. Nick dedicated over 20 days of volunteering last winter with the ski program and was chosen as our Rookie Volunteer of the Year for his generous commitment to supporting the BOEC and our participants.”
Nick at the BOEC volunteer summer meet up at Outer Range Brewery.
Nick shares his volunteering experience from the winter of 2024 this way,
“This past year has been immensely rewarding on multiple fronts, making it challenging to single out a specific event as more significant than others. Each interaction I’ve had with BOEC has filled me with immense joy, underscoring my privilege in contributing to such a distinguished organization. Among the myriad memories, one thing that stands out prominently is the collective of exceptional interns and staff members who serve as the cornerstone of this organization, fostering an environment where students can partake in life-changing experiences. One particular moment that resonated deeply with me involved overhearing two interns sharing a student’s sentiment, capturing the essence of their experience: “…I just love coming here because I feel like a normal person when I ski…” Being part of a team that orchestrates moments of joy and autonomy for these individuals is a memory that will endure in my heart for years to come.”
Like a typical Summit County resident, Nick enjoys spending his free time outside. He enjoys free skiing in the winter and hiking, mountain biking and riding his motorcycle in the summer. We are so thankful for Nick’s commitment to volunteering with the BOEC, his impact within our community and to those of all abilities is priceless.
For more information on volunteering, please visit https://boec.org/volunteer/ or contact Volunteer Coordinator, Shelby Taylor at [email protected]
