Climbing for a Cause - Benefitting Family Tree

NEWS

For Immediate Release
July 30, 2009
Media contact: Chris Michlewicz
chris.michlewicz@gmail.com
720-840-6970

Duo Climbs “Roof of Africa” for Family Tree

When they reach the stunning apex of Mount Kilimanjaro, Shawn Tracy and Mark Sheedy will be miles above the rest of the Africa. Their thoughts, however, won’t be far from Denver’s struggling families.

Tracy and Sheedy, co-founders of Greenwood Village-based Associates Group of Companies, Inc., will embark on their most ambitious endeavor to date when they begin a multi-stage climb up Kilimanjaro Aug. 15.

With the backing of private donors and corporate sponsors, the duo launched Associates Group "Climbing for a Cause", a fundraising effort that has them ascending the world’s highest peaks on behalf of Family Tree, a nonprofit agency that fights homelessness and helps victims of domestic violence throughout the Denver area.

For their second annual trek, Tracy and Sheedy decided to tackle Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Sometimes referred to as the “Roof of Africa,” Kilimanjaro stands more than 19,300 feet and is the tallest mountain on the massive continent. It is a step above the team’s grueling climb up Washington’s Mount Rainier in 2008, when they raised $30,000 for Family Tree.

“That’s a big way to convince people to donate. They are putting forth a huge effort and taking a lot of risk,” said Scott Shields, chief executive officer of Family Tree. “When they said, ‘we’re climbing Kilimanjaro,’ I was pretty shocked needless to say.”

Now the group is shooting for a lofty – and attainable – goal of $100,000.

Associates Group "Climbing for a Cause" began when Tracy and Sheedy, both former standout prep athletes, were trying to find a way to get out of the office while helping a local charity. They attended a Family Tree event in 2007 where Jeff Evans, an experienced climber who guided Colorado resident and blind mountaineer Erik Weihenmayer during his summit of Mount Everest, was serving as the keynote speaker. Coincidentally, they had already planned a climb up Mount Rainier, but the speech gave them added motivation.

“When we were trying to figure out what to do for a fundraiser, this just kind of hit home,” Tracy said.

This year, Evans will serve as their guide up Kilimanjaro, which starts in the jungle and ends on a glacier. Because of the varying terrain and endurance required to conquer Kilimanjaro, the men must train on steep inclines with 40-pound weight vests.

Never ones to back down from a challenge, Tracy and Sheedy, both of Douglas County, already have their sights set on a 2010 ascent up Mount Elbrus in Russia. The additional funds go a long way, but Family Tree points to the added benefit of bringing attention to abused Denver families.

“I couldn’t understate what those dollars do for our organization,” Shields said, “but they also bring this huge intangible component that’s well beyond the dollars.”

To donate to Associates Group "Climbing for a Cause", visit www.agcclimb.com or www.thefamilytree.org.

Tracy and Sheedy are available to speak about their upcoming adventure until Aug. 10. To schedule an interview, contact Chris Michlewicz at (720) 840-6970 or chris.michlewicz@gmail.com.

-- Family Tree provides a broad range of services and shelter to families and youth of metro Denver to overcome child abuse, domestic violence and homelessness. Each year, Family Tree provides services to more than 31,000 people, including more than 25,000 nights of safe shelter to families and individuals who might otherwise be homeless. --

-- Associates Group of Companies, Inc., - or AGC – is a Denver Technological Center-based commercial insurance brokerage and financial services firm. The company serves 1,500 companies and is a premier provider of commercial property and casualty, workers compensation and employee benefits in the region. --

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NEWS For Immediate Release July 30, 2009 Media contact: Chris Michlewicz chris.michlewicz@gmail.com 720-840-6970 Duo Climbs “Roof of Africa” for Family Tree When they reach the stunning apex of Mount Kilimanjaro, Shawn Tracy and Mark Sheedy will be miles above the rest of the Africa. Their thoughts, however, won’t be far from Denver’s struggling families. Tracy and Sheedy, co-founders of Greenwood Village-based Associates Group of Companies, Inc., will embark on their most ambitious endeavor to date when they begin a multi-stage climb up Kilimanjaro Aug. 15. With the backing of private donors and corporate sponsors, the duo launched Associates Group "Climbing for a Cause", a fundraising effort that has them ascending the world’s highest peaks on behalf of Family Tree, a nonprofit agency that fights homelessness and helps victims of domestic violence throughout the Denver area. For their second annual trek, Tracy and Sheedy decided to tackle Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Sometimes referred to as the “Roof of Africa,” Kilimanjaro stands more than 19,300 feet and is the tallest mountain on the massive continent. It is a step above the team’s grueling climb up Washington’s Mount Rainier in 2008, when they raised $30,000 for Family Tree. “That’s a big way to convince people to donate. They are putting forth a huge effort and taking a lot of risk,” said Scott Shields, chief executive officer of Family Tree. “When they said, ‘we’re climbing Kilimanjaro,’ I was pretty shocked needless to say.” Now the group is shooting for a lofty – and attainable – goal of $100,000. Associates Group "Climbing for a Cause" began when Tracy and Sheedy, both former standout prep athletes, were trying to find a way to get out of the office while helping a local charity. They attended a Family Tree event in 2007 where Jeff Evans, an experienced climber who guided Colorado resident and blind mountaineer Erik Weihenmayer during his summit of Mount Everest, was serving as the keynote speaker. Coincidentally, they had already planned a climb up Mount Rainier, but the speech gave them added motivation. “When we were trying to figure out what to do for a fundraiser, this just kind of hit home,” Tracy said. This year, Evans will serve as their guide up Kilimanjaro, which starts in the jungle and ends on a glacier. Because of the varying terrain and endurance required to conquer Kilimanjaro, the men must train on steep inclines with 40-pound weight vests. Never ones to back down from a challenge, Tracy and Sheedy, both of Douglas County, already have their sights set on a 2010 ascent up Mount Elbrus in Russia. The additional funds go a long way, but Family Tree points to the added benefit of bringing attention to abused Denver families. “I couldn’t understate what those dollars do for our organization,” Shields said, “but they also bring this huge intangible component that’s well beyond the dollars.” To donate to Associates Group "Climbing for a Cause", visit www.agcclimb.com or www.thefamilytree.org. Tracy and Sheedy are available to speak about their upcoming adventure until Aug. 10. To schedule an interview, contact Chris Michlewicz at (720) 840-6970 or chris.michlewicz@gmail.com. -- Family Tree provides a broad range of services and shelter to families and youth of metro Denver to overcome child abuse, domestic violence and homelessness. Each year, Family Tree provides services to more than 31,000 people, including more than 25,000 nights of safe shelter to families and individuals who might otherwise be homeless. -- -- Associates Group of Companies, Inc., - or AGC – is a Denver Technological Center-based commercial insurance brokerage and financial services firm. The company serves 1,500 companies and is a premier provider of commercial property and casualty, workers compensation and employee benefits in the region. -- # # # [ top ] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .