BRUNSWICK — After learning to ski two years ago, a deaf teenager is giving back to the organization that helped him tackle the slopes.

David Pixley, 13, is one of the teenagers with a physical disability who is raising money for the 28th annual Ski-A-Thon, a benefit at Sunday River that provides more than half of the operating budget for Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation.

As of Wednesday, Pixley had surpassed his $500 goal. But he will continue to accept donations up until March 23, when he and hundreds of others will meet at Sunday River to celebrate the event.

“It’s kind of like a big party – people ski all day,” said Diane Barras, MASR program coordinator. “It’s kind of a big celebration of the year.”

Over the past two years, the organization has helped Pixley learn how to work with his physical limitations. He said this includes knowing how to be aware of his surroundings, even though he can’t hear who is nearby.

Barras said MASR has existed for 32 years, and typically serves about 350-400 people a year.

“The mission of our program is to get anyone with a physical disability to enjoy Maine recreation, because I think that’s the best part about living in Maine,” Barras said. “It takes away a lot of the barriers.”

For Pixley, this means being able to enjoy skiing, which he said is fun and helps him with his body.

He said he hopes his fundraising effort will help other teenagers like him have the opportunity to ski.

Dylan Martin can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 100 or dmartin@theforecaster.net. Follow him onTwitter: @DylanLJMartin.

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David Pixley, center, with two volunteers from Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation volunteers at Sunday River. Pixley is raising money for the program’s 28th annual Ski-A-Thon on March 23.