Optic Nerve Eyewear Brand Director Tackles Long’s Peak to Send 10 Under-Resourced Youth on A Life Changing Outdoor Expedition
Get access to everything we publish when you sign up for Outside+.
Wheat Ridge, CO – SEPTEMBER 20, 2017
What started as an Optic Nerve Eyewear staff plot to get Brand Director, Gary Richards, out of the office for a few days turned into a $9,000 donation to Colorado non-profit Big City Mountaineers (BCM). Richards along with a group of 5 other climbers and guides successfully summited Long’s Peak as part of the Summit for Someone program to raise funds and awareness for BCM.
BCM’s mission is to instill critical life skills in under-resourced urban youth across the country. The organization’s staple program combines one-on-one mentoring with first-time wilderness experiences in an 8 day outdoor excursion for at-risk teens, many of whom have never been outside of the cities they reside in. The program provides head to toe outdoor equipment, provisions, logistics and professional leadership for each teen. Research shows experiences in nature reduce stress, improve physical health, lead to better education outcomes and build civic mindedness. The dedicated mentors who guide these excursions provide the individual attention and support the mentees need to build self-confidence, empathy, resilience and a better awareness of their own personal strengths.
The Summit for Someone program is a series of fundraising campaigns in which volunteer climbers join a pre-arranged guided climb to some of the world’s most renowned summits. By signing up, the climbers commit to reaching out to friends, family and co-workers, asking them to follow their climbing adventure, to learn about BCM’s initiatives and to contribute to fundraising efforts.
In celebration of Summit for Someone’s 10th year anniversary, Optic Nerve Eyewear staff volunteered Richards to summit Longs Peak (14,259 ft.) via the technical Cables Route. “Please don’t make me do that again!” said Richards upon returning from the physically and mentally strenuous climb. “In all seriousness, though,” he added, “I was honored to have the opportunity to support BCM. It’s a great cause that helps more kids not only get outside, but truly challenge themselves. I am proud to work for a company that supports this kind of organization.” The money raised on behalf of this climb will provide 10 teens with the opportunity to alter the course of their life on one of BCM’s mentored outdoor expeditions.
Optic Nerve Eyewear would like to thank additional sponsors and partners of this climb including Jansport, Eddie Bauer/First Ascent, Salewa Footwear, Smartwool, Klymit, Black Diamond, and Columbia. You can read more about this Summit for Someone climb in upcoming issues of Backpacker Magazine from the account of Randy Propster, Backpacker Ambassador and all-around hiking & climbing expert.
###
Independently owned and firmly rooted in Colorado for four decades, Optic Nerve Eyewear is committed to supporting communities worldwide by getting people excited to enjoy the outdoors. Optic Nerve Eyewear and ONE by Optic Nerve comprise a wide variety of eyewear products specifically designed so that everyone is able to pursue each different activity that inspires them to spend more time outside. All Optic Nerve Eyewear sunglasses and goggles are backed by a lifetime warranty. To learn more, visit them online at www.opticnerve.com.
Media contact:
Aly Pelchat
Optic Nerve
303.292.2720
