Dave Foong
Laura Handley
We’re Dave and Laura, six-year Mountaineers members, and we believe in the transformative power of the outdoors.
Over and over again, we see that outdoor play makes space for curiosity; curiosity turns into awe; and our experiences of awe kindle our hope for the future.
We joined The Mountaineers to learn basic outdoor skills. We were humbled to find much more than that: members who show up for each other, volunteers who innovate and keep a 120-year legacy vibrant, and books that inspire generations of readers to fall in love with the natural world.
Today, Laura is studying to become a clinical mental health counselor. We’ve learned that one of the biggest protective factors for mental health is a strong community. When we reflect on when we’ve felt most connected – to ourselves, and to something bigger than ourselves – we picture ourselves outside. We’re romping around the backcountry with our buddies, scrambling in the rain with Mountaineers students, or connecting for a post-trip dinner with friends and strangers – finding delight in the moments of wonder that bring us together.
Information overload, polarization, and isolation threaten to tear us apart. But slowing down, showing up, and sharing profound experiences with other humans make us resilient – individually and as a society.
Would you show up for The Mountaineers community this season by making a donation?
Adventure has always called to us. The Mountaineers deepens that call by connecting us with people from all walks of life – people who find inspiration in nature, and who are learning, like us, to create spaces where everyone feels welcome.
We give back to The Mountaineers as volunteers and donors to express love for our community and hope for the future of outdoor recreation. It is our way of strengthening the connection between humans and the natural world during a time when that connection feels more fragile. Choosing hope, awe, and community is a radical response.
It is vital that our community continues to foster belonging and protect the outdoor experience for generations to come through books, programs, and conservation advocacy. If you feel as we do, that The Mountaineers and Mountaineers Books have shaped your life, your community, or your love for the outdoors, we invite you to join us in making a donation this month. Will you make a year-end donation in support of The Mountaineers?
We found out this week that several Mountaineers members have pooled their donations to create a matching challenge. Their generosity will double every donation between now and the end of the year – up to 30,000!
Your donation of any amount will go twice as far to help The Mountaineers reach our December 31 fundraising goal.
Thank you for your generosity to amplify our shared values and support our community.
Dave instructs with Mountaineers climbing and scrambling courses and sits on the Board of Directors, the Audit Committee, and the Equity & Belonging Committee. Laura has completed Conditioning Hiking Series, Backpacking, and Snowshoeing courses. They approach philanthropy with a mindset of abundance and hope their fellow Mountaineers are inspired to give in support of the values that connect us.
