UWSP Students Establish Team to Give Kids a Chance to Live

Published July 31, 2008 @ 10:35AM PT

Stevens Point, Wisconsin (July 31, 2008) – For the second year, students at the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point are committing themselves to raise money to provide life-saving medication, medical supplies and food to HIV+ children in sub-Saharan Africa. On Saturday, September 20 and Sunday, September 21, the Stevens Point Pointers will be climbing, hiking, running, biking, and walking up structures as part of the international fundraising event Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up. Anyone can make a tax-free contribution or sign up for the team online at http://www.climbupsokidscangrowup.com/ or www.firstgiving.com/afca.  

Climbers, hikers, runners, walkers and cyclists all over the country and all over the world will climb up structures on September 20 and 21 as part of Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up.

The event supports the American Foundation for Children with AIDS (AFCA, http://www.helpchildrenwithaids.org/), a non-profit that provides medication, medical supplies, food and support to HIV+ children and their families in Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe. All proceeds from Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up go directly to AFCA.  

“All we ask for this event is that you get out and do something physically challenging – whether it’s walking, running, climbing, hiking, biking – to parallel the struggle these children face every day,” said Matthew Goodness, one of the UWSP organizers. “Once you register to participate, we also need you to get your friends, family and others to support you and this worthwhile cause. For example, ask people to donate $1.00 for every mile you cycle, or $5.00 for every mile you walk,” added Rebecca Heine, another team organizer. 

Events will be held Saturday, September 20 from 12:00 – 4:00 PM and Sunday, September 21 from 12:30 – 4:30 PM. Participants will meet at the USWP Climbing Wall in the Health Enhancement Center (HEC) in the newly remodeled Multi Activity Center (MAC). Participants are encouraged to sign up in advance at http://www.climbupsokidscangrowup.com/ or www.firstgiving.com/afca and get others to join and support the team.  Participants and donations will also be accepted the day of the event.  

Additionally, there will be a raffle following Sunday’s events.  For more information,

Contact:   

Matthew Goodness:  mgood814@uwsp.edu               
Rebecca Heine:        rhein425@uwsp.edu               
Phone:                      (715) 346-2405               
Office:                                  HEC 103            

About Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up and American Foundation for Children with AIDS

Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up is a global event to raise money for the American Foundation for Children with AIDS. Hikers, cyclists, climbers, and runners of all ages and skill levels around the globe will participate in Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up on September 20 and/or 21, 2008. For more information and to form a team, please go to http://www.climbupsokidscangrowup.com/. 

The American Foundation for Children with AIDS (AFCA) is a not-for-profit foundation providing medical supplies and aid to children in countries hardest hit by HIV/AIDS including Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe. For more information or to make a donation, please go to http://www.helpchildrenwithaids.org/.