Sports

Roswell Woman Hikes Mt. Kilimanjaro To Promote Sports Inclusion

Roswell resident Lisa Simmons will begin a hike Aug. 12 on Mt. Kilimanjaro, giving all donations to BlazeSports to purchase new equipment.

Lisa Simmons previously hiked the epic Rim to Rim trail across the Grand Canyon in August 2018.
Lisa Simmons previously hiked the epic Rim to Rim trail across the Grand Canyon in August 2018. (BlazeSports)

ROSWELL, GA — BlazeSports America supporter Lisa Simmons will begin a fundraiser hike on Aug. 12 to one of the world’s most impressive geographic locations – Mount Kilimanjaro. When Simmons climbs the highest mountain in Africa and the tallest freestanding mountain on earth, she’ll give 100 percent of all donations directly to BlazeSports to purchase new wheelchair and track equipment, as well as support athletic programs for participants with disabilities.

Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and the tallest freestanding mountain on earth. Crowned with an everlasting snow-cap, this majestic mountain can be found inside the Kilimanjaro National Park of Tanzania.

“My goal is to raise money and awareness for BlazeSports,” Simmons, president of Atlanta-based Beacon Management, said. “This nonprofit provides life-changing sports programs for young adults and military veterans with physical disabilities. As a female business owner, I see the importance they place on inclusion for all participants.”

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This is the second fundraiser hike Simmons has carried out in support of BlazeSports. Last year, she hiked the Rim to Rim trail across the Grand Canyon, raising $13,000 in support of the organization’s adaptive sports programs for young adults and military veterans.

She started at the North Rim, challenging her personal limits as she descended 15 miles and 6,000 feet to the bottom of the canyon. She then crossed the Colorado River before connecting with the Bright Angel Trail and climbed 5,500 feet and 9.6 miles back out again to the South Rim in a little over one day.

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This year’s fundraising hike to 19,341 feet above sea level takes place Aug. 12-20, but the adventure has already begun. Simmons announced her eight-day climb up the mountain in Tanzania by jumping 14,000 feet from a plane in Georgia last month accompanied by BlazeSports board member and adaptive sports athlete Duane Morrow.

“We are thrilled to have Lisa’s support and for her to raise awareness of our programs in such a fun way,” said Mara Galic, BlazeSports America interim executive director. “At BlazeSports, we encourage athletes with all levels of abilities to achieve new heights, and Lisa’s efforts demonstrate this same philosophy.”

BlazeSports America is the direct legacy nonprofit organization of the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games. For more than 20 years, BlazeSports America has been creating adaptive sport and recreation opportunities for individuals with physical disabilities in Georgia and throughout the country, serving more than a quarter of a million children, veterans, athletes and service providers with physical disabilities through programs, training and education initiatives and an extensive network.


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