BBQ, Berms, Boats & Beyond!

Kendall Toyota of Bend was proud to host a special BBQ to kick off the 5th Annual Turns & Berms weekend alongside Oregon Adaptive Sports and Kelly Brush Foundation.

This gathering marked the beginning of an inspiring weekend dedicated to creating outdoor experiences for athletes with disabilities. While Turns & Berms is traditionally a three-day event centered around skiing and mountain biking, this year’s low snowpack brought an exciting twist, featuring mountain biking, boating, and a full lineup of Central Oregon adventures.

More than 25 athletes and a dedicated group of volunteers, over 40 individuals in total, traveled from across the US, including Boise, Vermont, Portland, and right here in Central Oregon, to be part of this experience. Some were returning participants, while others were stepping into Turns & Berms for the very first time.

To welcome everyone, we opened up the delivery bay at Kendall Toyota of Bend, letting the sunshine in and creating a space for connection & planning for the weekend. Guests enjoyed a classic BBQ dinner of burgers and hotdogs, picked up their commemorative camp shirts for the weekend, and spent time getting to know one another. One of the most meaningful parts of the evening was hearing directly from the athletes—learning about their journeys, their excitement for the weekend ahead, and the impact of programs like this.

The weekend doesn’t stop at the trails and water. Participants will also enjoy a trivia night and a private screening at Regal Old Mill of “The Best Day Ever,” featuring Turns & Berms organizer Greg Durso of the Kelly Brush Foundation.

As an annual partner of Oregon Adaptive Sports, Kendall Toyota of Bend is honored to support their mission in multiple ways, including the use of a Toyota Tundra to transport essential adaptive equipment and sponsorship of the First Turns First Berms program, which provides free introductory experiences for new athletes.

It was a privilege to host this incredible group and help kick off what promises to be an unforgettable weekend. We wish all the athletes and volunteers the BEST WEEKEND EVER as they hit the trails, the water, and everything Central Oregon has to offer.