As I have climbed several big mountains, my first attempt to summit Aconcagua in Argentina this last January was my first charity mountain climb!  Though I did not summit, my goal was a success having raised $500 for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Christus St. Michael in Texarkana, Texas. With a new goal set to summit Aconcagua again in 2027, I am continuing to raise money for the NICU! 

Since 2014, my business, Company Dance, has raised almost $20,000 for the NICU and I am continuing that tradition through my climbing and adventures with Down to Roam.  In my years of donating to the Foundation at Christus St. Michael, I have surpassed the $20,000 mark! Understanding the impact of the funds and being able to provide comfort to families gives such a deeper purpose for me to continue raising funds in the future.  Most recently, approximately $4,000 donated by Company Dance was used to help fund the NICVIEW camera system; a viewing system giving parents of newborns 24-hour live viewing access to their sweet, little one. 

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As Aconcagua sits tall and beautiful in the Andes Mountains at 22,837 feet (6,960.8 meters), it rises above the clouds at almost 7,000 meters.  Though this climb may seem fun, it will definitely be an extreme feat and reaching the summit will be arduous. Aconcagua will come with more challenges than comforts and it will test my endurance and grit.  After summiting Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa at 19,341 feet (5,895 meters) and one of the Seven Summits, I feel that I am ready to take on this challenge.

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As this beautiful but mighty mountain will leave a lasting effect on my life, I hope to impact those who will follow me on this adventure.