The COVID-19 pandemic has caused us to adapt to change at a moment’s notice. Throughout the uncertainty, many of us have also taken a step back, reflected on things that mean the most to us, and created new goals for our future.
One such CPA is Karen Knowlton. Karen, a partner at Stawowski McGill in Calgary, has used this time as an opportunity to set new personal goals and to give back to her community through her recently launched fundraising initiative, Karen Climbs for Kids. Karen is raising donations for her climb of Mount Athabasca in Jasper National Park on July 23, with all of the proceeds going towards I Can for Kids, a local charity that helps feed Calgary’s 50,000 hungry children.
An avid hiker and nature lover, Karen was inspired after learning about Edmonton’s Liliana Kujundzic-Tesedic, a 75-year-old woman who conquered Mount Temple in Banff National Park and raised $200,000 for charity.
Karen Knowlton CPA, CA is all smiles after reaching summit of the Windtower in Kananaskis.
“One of my major objectives this year was to get more involved in the community,” says Karen. “I thought why not marry something I am passionate about—being in the mountains—with helping to raise money for a worthy cause?”
Even for a hiking enthusiastic, Mount Athabasca is a challenging feat. It has an elevation of 3,491 m—an elevation at the highest end of mountains in the province. Much more than just a hiking objective, the mountain is widely considered a mountaineering ascent. Armed with this knowledge, Karen has hired a local Canmore guiding company, Ridgeline Guiding, at her own expense, to guide her on the 10-12 hour climb.
Once she arrives at the mountain’s summit, Karen will not only celebrate her personal accomplishment, but also the positive impact she is making with kids in Calgary.
“Over the last year, families have been greatly impacted by the pandemic,” says Karen. “I decided to select I Can for Kids as the charity to support because it was local and I knew it would have a significant impact on my community.”
Since 2015, I Can for Kids has been providing nutritional support for children and youth throughout the summer months, when students do not receive the support they regularly have from their school breakfast and lunch programs. I Can for Kids works with more than 25 social service agency partners to help distribute nutritious food packs, fresh fruits, vegetables, and grocery gift cards. Those gift cards have been vitally important since the pandemic began, as they provide families the option to purchase items that fit their personal and cultural preferences. According to the I Can for Kids website, in 2020 the organization was able to feed over 28,000 children in 136 communities across the city.
As the charity’s summer program gears up, Karen’s efforts will be a huge help for 2021. Since launching the fundraising initiative on April 12, Karen Climbs for Kids has already raised over $30,000, including a $5,000 matching donation from Children’s Hospital Aid Society (CHAS).
From kind words from family and friends to generous donations from clients and colleagues, and the hard work from the team at Stawowski McGill—who is also the Training Sponsor of the climb—the support that Karen has received has been fantastic.
“The support and feedback I’ve received has been really amazing,” says Karen. “Until you do something like this, you don’t have any indication how many people are behind you.”
With hard work and determination, Karen is closer to the top of Mount Temple in Lake Louise.
With over two months until her climb, there is still plenty of time for more people to donate and help make a difference. Donations can be made at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/karen-climbs-for-kids/ or stay updated on the latest news on the Karen Climbs for Kids Facebook Page.
In exchange for a donation, people can also get involved and support Karen’s journey by joining her on a training hike. This is an unique opportunity to give back to the community and experience the outdoors. To learn more about this option, you can contact Chris Day at chris.day@stawowskimcgill.ca.
