Finally, after two
years since its establishment, the Alpine club “8” managed to receive a
donation in climbing equipment. Although it came unexpectedly, this
contribution was by no means accidental. The donation came from a socially
responsible person, who has faith in raising funds and giving donations for a
variety of initiatives. This person was open enough to recognize the club’s
genuine intentions, the need of equipment, and especially so the equipment intended
for children and beginners.
As of lately we have
had many new members and people interested in becoming members, but we have not
been able to meet their needs due to the lack of equipment necessary for
training. This is now no longer an issue.
Although clearly aware
of the importance of donations to those who really need them and willing to
support initiatives such as our club’s aim to generate love for the mountain
and alpine climbing, coupled with our desire to educate and train both children
and grownups to climb, we believe that the motifs of our new friend Mr. Andrew
Goodspeed, Provost and Professor at the SEE University, are also deeply rooted
in the place where he grew up, Denver, Colorado. Colorado is one of the most
epic locations for the American climbers, mountaineers, skiers and all sorts of
mountain and outdoor enthusiasts. It is the place where the culture of climbing
of all American climbing pioneers has come into being. Mr Goodspeed says “Mountaineering was a high school sport for us. We didn't do
serious expeditions, but we would go out climbing faces every weekend”.
We are
happy that our paths crossed and that we received a donation from a person of
this kind, a person who grew up in the mountains and understands that what we
do and what we believe in is worth sharing and promoting. Mr. Goodspeed
recognized our dedication and awareness of the sense
of freedom that climbing gives, and the opportunity of individual expression,
coupled with the high level of responsibility one must have towards oneself,
those he/she climbs with, and most of all towards nature and the environment.
On behalf of all the members of the Alpine Club 8, we want to express
our willingness and hope that soon enough we will have the opportunity to
organize a presentation for all the mountain lovers of at least one small
fragment of the mountain impressions and experiences of this man who grew up in
Colorado.
As an immediate consequence of this donation, the club started to work with small children, a segment of high importance to our mission. To fulfill this aim we were in urgent need of children’s harnesses, helmets and a rope, provided to us by Mr. Godspeed. He believes that in addition to the direct result we have with this newly open section, it is even more important to raise awareness among the climbing community, and create a positive atmosphere in the society in which we live and work for further donations of this kind. We truly hope that things will turn out in accord with his suggestions, and that this is only the beginning that will eventually trigger others to support similar initiative as ours.
We wish to also express our gratitude
to the specialized mountain equipment store outdoor.mk which offered us the
equipment and had the maximum level of
understanding for our needs and financial capacity.