Climbing a Mountain Inspires a Ginormous Act of Kindness
Killing Kilimanjaro, Vern Jones and his family successfully scaled the 4,900-meter mountain in Tanzania, Africa with a little help from a local guide. Jones noticed two things during his journey up the mountainside. First, his guide had scaled the mountain in tennis shoes adding another layer of danger to an already unsafe job. After asking more questions, Jones also learned his guide made less than $10 per hour. Secondly, he and his family wanted some sort of memento to mark the occasion once they arrived at the top. However, merchandise was not available. His solution, he founded Kili Summit Club, joining the market place of socially conscious companies. Kili Summit Club is a place where people share pictures and stories of their climb, but can also buy merchandise like cups, t-shirts, and jackets (also known as bragging gear). The proceeds go to porters and guides, allowing them access to better equipment and pay. “Everyone who attempts this challenge knows the val