A couple years ago I ran in a team-based road race where we raised money based on the number of miles we ran. It was grueling but fun and we exceeded our target raise because donors thought we were slightly crazy at the feat we were attempting. Ultimately the better-than-expected fundraising was more rewarding than the race.
Switch seasons...ever since skiing apps could track vertical, speed and distance I've been hooked. My kids and I look at our stats and push ourselves to get the most out of every day. I've long thought a fun event could be a group striving to achieve a single day vertical goal, and if they achieved it there would be some reward, which thus far had only been Waffle Cabin.
So I've finally gotten around to combining the ideas and am proud to launch Peaks with a Purpose, an annual event where a group of us will raise money for a worthy and relevant cause via our slightly crazy pursuit of vertical in a day. We'll set an ambitious vertical goal and get gracious donors to pledge an amount for every vertical foot we ski that day. Half a penny a foot would be a $200 commitment. In this first year I'm joined only by my sixteen year-old son Luke and our goal is 40-for-4: we'll try to ski 40,000 vertical on March 25th at Killington, VT, and raise $4,000. If we don't hit 40,000 feet, then I'll double my donation. Gotta have some skin in the game.
Each year we'll pick a different charity that is relevant and meaningful to us. This year we've selected Sunflower of Peace, a non-profit organization committed to helping Ukrainians affected by the Russian military invasion, providing medical and humanitarian aid that will be used by paramedics and doctors in the most heavily impacted areas. It is devastating to witness these senseless atrocities and I can't think of a more relevant cause that provides specific aid but also supports a broader purpose of global accountability and peace.
My hope is that this will grow as an annual event. After we work out the kinks this year I'm eager to invite others to join our group next year, aspiring to achieve the vertical target at mountains around the country and helping make a difference at the important charity with whom we've partnered that year. If you are interested in joining this year, at Killington or at your own mountain, reach out and we'll make it happen. More people = more fun = more fundraising.
Thank you very much for your support!
