Executive Director, Carl Drew (an Eagle Scout and amateur climber), has more of a mission than just climbing a mountain.  He is climbing for a cause.

Carl continues to take action to follow CC's vision.   In the summer of 2006 he took on the ultimate physical challenge, while raising awareness and funding for charities, and capturing the excitement of the journey on film. 

On June 1st 2006 Carl Drew represented CC by heading to Pakistan with 20 other amateur climbers to face the most challenging event of their lives.  The team spent over two months attempting to climb a mountain that has been climbed by less than 250 people.   They went unguided, towards the top of the 2^nd highest (28,240 ft) and most dangerous mountain on Earth, K2! In comparison, Everest has been summited by 1000's and holds a greater safety record.  A documentary is in production about the climb and the impact the climbers had on others by following their dreams.  The High Definition film will incorporate the effects of the Pakistani earthquake on the mountain villagers and their journey to recovery. 

Carl Drew climbed into the "death zone" (above 26,000 ft) to assist CC in raising awareness and funding for four charities - World Vision, Locks of Love, Communities In Schools of Elkhart and LaGrange Counties, and The Front Row Foundation.   A significant portion of the trip fee and 100% of the proceeds from the documentary, will be donated to the charities and the rebuilding of the mountain villages affected by the Pakistani earthquake.  The mission is not over now that the team has gone to the mountain, as Carl has returned to impact our youth across the nation by sharing the experience through adventure trips, motivational speaking engagements, and the documentary . 

During the first 6 months of fundraising Climbing for a Cause has had a tremendous response from both corporate and private sponsors and donors.  We have raised funding to provide for the preproduction and production of the film.  Corporate sponsorships resulted in the acquiring of equipment necessary to shoot the film, while private sponsorships provided the needed funding to ship the equipment, higher Porters to assist in the production on the mountain, and purchase consumable resources.  As of 8/8/08 we areworking to raise the final $15,000 of sponsorship and donations necessary to finish the postproduction of the film.  This process includes funds for final editing, narration, voice-overs, licensed music, stock footage, and final interviews. 

Whether you are an individual or a corporation, there are several ways in which you can influence the success of our vision.