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A note from Syd
It's hard not to start my note to you by asking for a donation. In these financially challenging times, Big City Mountaineers and its mission to serve under-resourced urban teens would certainly benefit from your contribution.
Recently I've had a few reminders of reasons to be hopeful, despite difficult circumstances that we can rarely control. Three of the reminders are based on research and the fourth is a personal experience:
1. Recent studies show that we are born with an urge to help; that humans have a natural willingness to help that is innate (New York Times, December, 2009)
2. The "helper's high" is a documented physical response from volunteering similar to meditation or vigorous exercise; it reduces stress and may actually contribute to living longer! (New York Times, December, 2009)
3. America's poorest are its most generous. People in our lowest income group give more money on a percentage basis than any other group (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 5/09).
4. And the emotional reminder: Hearing Hajia's story (see below) about her BCM trip this summer. Her story brought tears to my eyes, and reminded me of how glorious it is to see teenagers have true hope for good things in their lives.
The first three -- we're born to help, helping is better for our health, and those with the least give the most -- are reasons that in difficult times I choose to be hopeful that there will be relief. Hajia's story gives me confidence that BCM continues to enhance the lives of the teenagers who experience our program, and gives me hope for the young people we have served in the past and those to come in the future.
With your help -- and now I respectfully ask for your donation -- I'm hopeful we can continue to impact more teenagers, and give them an experience like Hajia's.
Being hopeful feels amazing. Please join me with a donation to BCM. Thank you for your generosity. |
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Teen Personal
Expressions Winner
Hajia Muya
Hi
my name is Hajia and I am from Kenya, I was originally born in Somalia. My
parents left Somalia in 1992 when the war broke out, the same war that is still
going on now. My family is Somali Bantu and we were thought of as the lower
class so my parents left the country for a better life for their kids. After
many stops we settled in a Kenyan Refugee Camp. Life in the camp was fascinating
because I met new people who were different, spoke different languages and it
was amazing how even though we were all different we got along...click here to continue reading.
For all Teen Personal Expressions entries, click here. |
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Adult Personal
Expressions Winner
MK Sagaria
city kids outdoors
no hip hop or Xbox here
just nature's rhythms
a cool mountain night
girls giggling in their tents
sleeping under stars
setting out on trails
it's a BCM summer
kids forging new paths
For all Adult Personal Expressions winners, click here. |
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Skip Yowell Volunteer Award Winner
Pat Callahan
We are excited to give this year's award to Pat Callahan. Pat
embodies the spirit of Skip Yowell through exceptional service and commitment
to helping Big City Mountaineers fulfill its mission of enhancing the lives of under-resourced
teens.
"There's no place I'd rather be," Pat says about
his BCM trips. Pat has made this apparent over the past 10 years through his
relentless enthusiasm for BCM, our program and the teens we serve. He became
involved with BCM in 1999 by volunteering once a week in our Evergreen office
doing whatever needed to be done... click here to continue reading. |
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Change the Life of a Teen by getting involved...
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VOLUNTEER
"Words cannot describe the joy of accomplishment
in the teens eyes when they discover strength they didn't realize they had. The
BCM trip is not something you can just read and understand; you simply must
experience it yourself."
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DONATE
One of the things that makes BCM unique is that we ask for no money from our teens. They can show up in their cotton tees and jeans and we'll outfit them and arrange everything for them to have a once-in-a-lifetime trip. This is not possible without donations.
Donate Now!
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CLIMB
Have some questions about participating in Summit For
Someone? Attend one of our informational calls.
Learn how you can raise $4200 without leaving your desk.
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Here's an easy way to help BCM: click
and vote for BCM by December 11 and we could win $25,000
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All of us here at Big City Mountaineers wish you Happy Holidays and a wonderful New Year!
The BCM Team - Syd, Mitsu, Megan, Brie, Hillary, Brendan, Elizabeth W., Elizabeth B., Amy, Rachel, Bernie, Lloyd
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