Donation of equipment for Alpine club 8

          

          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.