Can you help?

Almost a year ago, Ken Smith, father, brother-in-law, uncle, friend, mentor, died after a long battle with cancer.  Ken was only 49.  He lived his life large – both in stature and attitude.  His personal motto was “go big or go home” and he truly lived it each and every day.  He spent large parts of his free time working on his various philanthropic efforts including Gateway for Cancer Research and the Boy Scouts of America just to name two.  During his many hospital stays during the time he was in treatment, Ken had to opportunity to get to know many of the staff at Cancer Treatment Centers of America.  One person in particular is Teri Dreher, an intensive care nurse at CTCA.  Teri is the Co-Founder and president of Hands and Hearts International, Inc., (Hands and Hearts International, Inc. is an IRS designated 501(c)(3) charity) and works to improve rural health care and alleviate poverty in southeastern Africa.  During many late nights in the hospital, Ken and Teri would discuss her organization and Ken would give his input on “going big”.  Unfortunately Ken never had the chance to participant in any of her ongoing missions or was able to help her raise funds for these projects.  But we can help in his stead and we are “going big” to honor Ken. 

On November 15 to November 29 of this year, with a group of fellow “going big” team mates, we am going to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro (19,342 feet) in Ken’s name.  Kilimanjaro was as big as we could get in Africa!  The climb itself is a seven day event; five and a half days up and a day and a half down.  After our week climb, we are going to work with the Mailisita Foundation in Moshi, Tanzania.  The Mailisita Foundation was created to develop a financially self-sustaining Education Center to serve the needs of a growing orphan population in rural Tanzania.  The educational center (including a revenue generating guesthouse) sits at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro.  While an area of great natural beauty, the Kilimanjaro region is seeing the early stages of a major AIDS epidemic.  Our objective is to provide hope and a future for the area’s children orphaned by this growing crisis.  We will work in medical, educational and entrepreneurial training capacities in locations around the community.  In particular, our team will purchase, transport and build a playground for the children that attend the Mailisita Education Center and purchase soybean processing equipment for the foundation so the orphans who attend the Education Center can have their lunches supplemented with the protein from soymilk and soybread. 

So what are we asking from you?  There are a couple of things you can do.  The first is, come along!  We have a couple of spaces open for the climb.  A donation of $3,800 will cover your airfare, hotel, climb of Mt. Kilimanjaro and food, as well as visas and travel insurance.  Make a non-refundable deposit of $200 to secure your position on the team and reserve your air ticket.  Checks should be made out to Hands and Hearts International, Inc. and are tax deductible.  More details are on the Hands and Heart International, Inc. website. 

If climbing a mountain is not on your bucket list, we are seeking donations for the trip and climb along with the extras - the playground and soybean equipment so we would like to personally raise $40,000.  All donations over $75.00 will receive a letter from Hands and Hearts International, Inc. for tax purposes.  There are a couple of ways to donate.  Write a check to Hands and Hearts International, Inc. and mail it to 416 West Golf Rd, Libertyville, IL  60048 or give it to a Kenny's Climb member and we will bring it to our next mission meeting.  Or you can donate via PayPal at:  Hands and Hearts. 

This will be a huge challenge for me but the rewards will be bountiful.  We look forward to conquering this with your help. So let’s do it!