Washington-based non-profit outdoor adventure provider Peak 7 Adventures held an inaugural fundraising event here on October 21, raising nearly $75,000 to provide backpacking, climbing, and rafting trips for under-served Seattle youth. The event, which will be held annually, featured a live auction and inspiring testimonials from young people who have participated in past Peak 7 trips.
“We were overwhelmed by the support shown by the Seattle community,” said Ryan Kerrigan, executive director of Peak 7. “The funds from this event will allow us to grow and serve hundreds more youth in Seattle in 2016.”
Thanks in part to the success of its fundraiser, Peak 7 Adventures will launch a new program for 2016, the Bower Adventure Course, or BAC. It is named after Andrew Bower, a valued Peak 7 volunteer and mentor who had worked with kids in all three of itslocations. Mr. Bower died from a fall last month, as he was preparing to replace climbing bolts, unrelated to a Peak 7 Adventures trip.
The BAC program will allow 6-8 young people between the ages of 16-19 to participate in a 50 plus-day intensive wilderness leadership development program, and it is designed to encourage personal growth in youth by equipping them with hard skills and character development in areas such as grit, community service and teamwork.
Peak 7 Adventures’ fundraising event was held with the support of TravelChair, Marmot, the MSL Group, Mollydooker Wines, and Allevin Creative. One hundred and fifty guests attended and participated in the auction. TravelChair, a Mount Baker Sponsor of Peak 7 Adventures, donated items for the auction and 50% of its online sales related to the event.
Established in 2006 in Spokane, Washington, Peak 7 is entering its 10th anniversary year and expects to serve thousands more youth in 2016. More information is available at www.peak7.org, where the organization is welcoming year-end charitable donations.
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About Peak 7 Adventures
Peak 7 Adventures, founded in 2006, is a non-profit organization established to provide outdoor trips to under-resourced youth in Washington and Oregon. Youth come to Peak 7 Adventures through local educational non-profits, rescue missions, and churches to experience guided outdoor trips for less than 20% of the actual cost. Funding for Peak 7 Adventures trips comes from individual and corporate donations and sponsorships. For more information, visit www.peak7.org.
About TravelChair
Since pioneering the lightweight camp chair 31 years ago, TravelChair has been committed to building “the best chair you’ve ever owned.” The family owned and operated company focuses on quality design, materials and attention to detail to build strong, stable and durable camp furniture. To learn more about the TravelChair and purchase from the full line of products and accessories, visit www.travelchair.com.
| PHOTO: Becky Galage, center, of Peak 7 Adventures, and guests Kate Kerr, far left, of the Seattle Academy of Arts & Sciences and Katie Pitt of Harborview Medical Center, enjoy a light moment at the Peak 7 Adventures fundraiser. Photographer: Kate Miller |