The Mountaineers
This #GivingTuesday has blown us away. We’re incredibly grateful for the kindness, support, and generosity of our Mountaineers community. We set our goal for $15,000 and you helped us fly past it, reaching $22,000 by the end of last night. You not only helped us raise over twice as much as we did last year, you added 35 scholarships to the 75 we were hoping to offer. We set our sights high, and you have once again outdone yourselves. Thank you.
All donations received on #GivingTuesday will go directly toward our MAP Scholarship Fund, a program bridging the gap for those who would not otherwise be able to access our courses, camps, and more. With your help, we can provide 110 scholarships to create opportunities for future volunteers, climbers, kayakers, conservationists, and so much more.
These scholarships offer a lifeline to individuals to find solace and community in the outdoors. But don’t take it from us – hear from our community members about the impact of these scholarships:
“In 2019 I completed the Basic Mountaineering Course with the Bellingham branch. As a single mom, the partial scholarship was essential for me to be able to afford to buy the required gear for the course. The mountains have always been a place of solace for me, and this experience was exactly what I needed to focus on during a very difficult life transition. Participating in the basic course gave me the grounding I needed while being surrounded by like-minded and supportive members and instructors. It’s also a family tradition, as my grandmother participated in hikes and climbs with the Seattle Mountaineers back in the 1940s. She was very excited to see pictures and videos of my adventures. Thank you for your generous donation, which allowed me to participate in an incredibly positive and life-changing experience.”
-Caitlin Winters, 2-year member
“The classes, field trips, and people at The Mountaineers help me stay motivated and cope with a very difficult time in my life. Pursuing mountaineering has brought a new sense to my life, helped me cope with stress, and built my confidence. I also can't thank the volunteers enough, they are so kind, knowledgeable, and caring. They are truly inspiring. Snow is not part of my life or culture, so at times I am afraid, and they kindly helped me overcome my fears without judgement. I never thought a Brazilian/Indian lady would enjoy snowy mountains so much, and I look forward to learning and exploring more.”
-Mumtaz Mesania, 3-year member
Members like you make these stories possible. In one of the most challenging years in our history, our community rallied together in an incredible way to help others overcome financial barriers to getting outside. 110 scholarships is 110 lives changed. We are so deeply touched by your generosity, and excited to see what the year ahead brings. It will be challenging, but with the support of our community we know that the wind is always at our backs. Thank you.
We are beyond grateful for the overwhelming support you’ve provided as we kick off the giving season. Your generosity this #GivingTuesday has helped us reach just over half of our $40,000 annual scholarship goal. If you’re worried you missed your chance to give, there’s still time to count your name alongside the 100 donors who gave the gift of scholarships yesterday. Our #GivingTuesday donation page will be up until the end of the week and the social media fundraiser will be up until the end of the day. If you have any questions or need support in arranging a gift, please give us a call at 206-521-6006.
Main Image by Monica Ciari.
The Mountaineers® is a 501(c)(3) organization supported through earned revenue and elevated through charitable contributions, tax ID:27-3009280, 7700 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115.
