Amber Dygert
This last year has made it clear that people need the great outdoors more than ever before. When I think about the people and the experiences that kept our spirits happy and healthy, I think about Mountaineers volunteers and their boundless excitement to help others spend more time outside. As we close out the two-day celebration of #GiveBIG, we invite you to join us in giving back to the communities that supported us through good times and bad, and provide a wealth of adventure buddies who bring light to our lives even on the cloudiest days.
Volunteers are the heart and soul of The Mountaineers, lending their expertise to help people experience the outdoors through our programs and books. It doesn’t matter if you’re stepping into your first hike, launching your first paddle, joining your first sail, or attempting your first summit, The Mountaineers volunteer community is here to grow with you and cheer you on along the way.
“The best thing about The Mountaineers is definitely the people. I’ve been on amazing mountains on so-so days, and I’ve been on so-so mountains on amazing days, and the thing that makes all of those trips amazing regardless of the weather forecast, is the people that you’re with.”-Travis Prescott, co-recipient of the 2020 Volunteer Service Award
Even though the pandemic presented new challenges , our volunteers were tirelessly committed to creating opportunities to strengthen connections within the community and with the outdoors.
I understood and was nervous about what the pandemic was doing to all of the nonprofits that were important to me, including The Mountaineers. For me birds have been an important part of my life, all my life. They bring me a lot of joy. As the world was shutting down around us, I thought maybe there are a lot of people feeling like me who want something that will give them solace, something to help them relax, something they can look at now and see that it is still functioning naturally. I looked around and wondered if there was something I can do that can help even in a little way. So I thought, `Let's do something for the people, let’s teach a birding class.’”-Tom Bancroft, co-recipient of the 2020 Volunteer Service Award
Volunteers like Travis and Tom are just two of the 3,000 leaders and instructors that work year-round to develop courses and provide guided activities so that you can choose your own outdoor education adventure. They volunteer for their love of nature-based recreation, for the love of teaching, and a desire to serve the greater good.
Today, you have the chance to give back in support of the volunteers who teach us to explore, connect, and advocate. When you #GiveBIG, you're empowering our educational leaders with experiential training and opportunities to advance their technical and instructional skills, which help them to feel supported and competent in their roles. Your tax-deductible gift through #GiveBIG not only supports our volunteer core that makes it all possible, you also help us to reach new communities so everyone has the chance to benefit from a life spent outside.
Thank you to the 68 donors who have chipped in $8,500 toward our $10,000 matching challenge through Washington Gives and donations received at mountaineers.org. If you haven’t yet renewed your #GiveBIG gift, you still have a chance to double your impact before the clock strikes midnight.
Mountaineers students practice glacier travel on a bluebird day.
Yesterday afternoon we revealed a surprise matching incentive, offering up to $2,500 in funds matching all first-time donors. If you’re considering your first gift to The Mountaineers, you have the unique power to TRIPLE your impact and help us unlock these additional funds in support of our people, places, programs, and publishing.
Your #GiveBIG gifts today help to ensure that your love for the outdoors is passed on through scholarships, conservation and advocacy, youth programs, community outreach, public land stewardship, and a tradition of volunteer-led outdoor education. All of this work adds up to supporting healthful and happy communities around us.
Even though we're asking you to #GiveBIG, no gift is too small to make a difference. It all adds up to big change.
Your unrestricted support through #GiveBIG empowers the experiences, community, and books that positively impact the lives of adventurers and outdoor advocates across the Pacific Northwest and beyond. So far, mountaineers members have contributed $8,500 toward our $30,000 May goal.
As a first time donor, only you have the power to unlock our special $2500 matching challenge. Whether you're considering a gift of $5 or $500, it all adds up to big change. Whether you're considering a gift of $5 or $500, it all adds up to big change.
If you enjoy giving back with the gift of time, consider one of the many stewardship opportunities available through the month of May.
As a 501(c)3 organization, gifts made to The Mountaineers are 100% tax-deductible. The Mountaineers, Tax ID 27-3009280, is located at 7700 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115.
