Why do I do it?

It has been brought to my attention by one mister Martin Pribble (aka @martinpribble) and a few other people that I am busy. Really busy, maybe too busy. As of late my life has been filled up with preparing for the Duathlon in May but more importantly I have been working on Gear and Cheer. This will be my third year involved with the event and my first year as official Event Chair and liaison for The Women's Wilderness Institute's Board of Directors.

If you're unfamiliar with the event it is an amazing silent auction in the Boulder that raises money for the Girl's Programs and Trauma Survivor Programs of The Women's Wilderness Institute. The money raised allows for scholarships and financial aid to those who may otherwise miss out on these opportunities at confidence and strength building.

Last year when I wrote about Gear and Cheer and TWWI I focused on how their unique teaching style truly appeals to women and girls by teaching in a challenging yet nurturing environment. I am thrilled to have learned to climb with the organization but it wasn't until I joined the Board that I discovered something amazing that came from the courses. I was empowered after my time in TWWI programs. After learning to climb I was able to go off on my own and climb some more. I knew when to seek more help to advance but also I have the foundation to go on my own.

The TWWI mission is this:

The Women's Wilderness Institute (TWWI) is a nonprofit organization with the mission of strengthening the courage, confidence, and leadership qualities of girls and women, through the support and challenge of wilderness- and community-based experiences.

After reflecting on this statement and all that I have taken away I am so proud to be on the Board and continuing to make this mission a reality. If other women and girls have an experience as amazing as mine then I know we're doing something right. So this is why I do it. This is why I stay busy. When something helps you transform your life you want to share it with others and keep it alive.

If you're in the Boulder/Denver area I invite you to join us at our Carnivale-themed Gear and Cheer on March 27 at The Spot in Boulder. Early bird tickets are only $30 and include food and beverage sampling, entertainment, and an opportunity to bid on some amazing gear and merchandise.

If you're interested in our programs visit the website for more details or request a catalog by contacting Lori Mathews at 303.938.9191.

Checking In and Following Up...

It's been a crazy couple of weeks but it's been worth it. The Gear and Cheer Fundraiser for The Women's Wilderness Institute was an amazing success. We raised a lot of money for our Girl's programs and again it was a great opportunity to bring like minded people together.

I am so thankful to all the sponsors that donated food, beverages, and of course wonderful gear and products for the auction. I am also incredibly proud of the committee and all the volunteers that pulled together and made it happen.

The night was personally very touching for me. I finally got to meet some of my favorite people on Twitter, as well as Miss Emma from my blog, and was honored by The Women's Wilderness Institute. Courtney, this year's marketing intern, presented me with a rug made from a retired climbing rope. This amazing gift will return to to TWWI next year to be passed on to another contributor however I will cherish it during the time I have it.

Sometimes volunteer work can feel never ending and honestly there are times where you can feel like it's just too much to take on. At times when I felt overwhelmed with the event planning I looked around and reminded myself I was surrounded by a great committee and we were all working for a great cause. In addition, TWWI has certainly gone above and beyond to help me recognize the importance of my contribution and make me feel appreciated. Now I just have to take a step back and figure out what the next year will hold for me.

And....for those that enjoyed my Late Bloomer's Challenge I wanted to recommend two other blogs for you. Both are stories of women who climb and how life has changed since they began climbing:

Where Were You Before Climbing? - The Rock Climber Girl
Where I Was Before Climbing - Katie


Photos by Xavier Enriquez

Cupcake Challenge: Giving Back by Doing the Things You Love

If you've been reading my blog a bit, know me, or follow me on Twitter you know a few things about the Cupcake. I like being active, I like trying new things, and I love volunteering and giving back to causes I believe in.

For those of us who like adventure and to push ourselves physically we always feel compelled to challenge ourselves. So my newest challenge to you is while setting your spring and summer time goals consider a fund raising event in your chosen sport (or a new one)! Sometimes finding out where to start is the toughest hurdle so I have done a little research to get us going.

The HERA Women's Cancer Foundation has a variety of events for outdoor enthusiasts that support their mission to end the loss of life due to ovarian cancer. The events began with the Climb for Life which was brain child of Sean Patrick when she was recovering from her seventh ovarian cancer surgery. Since then the success of the climbing events has lead way to the upcoming Escape from Granogue Mountain Bike Race, and 2009 Run Like a Girl 8K Series.

Want to hit up Yosemite this year? Perhaps consider Climb for a Cause. Over Labor Day weekend this event will include an attempted summit of the Half Dome as well as other fun events. If you participate you'll be raising funds for The Cambodia Project and Guatemalan Dental Relief.

Yet another organization doing amazing things while getting people off the couch is Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up, which raises money to fight against pediatric AIDS in Kenya, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. Participate by doing a climb in your own state this May!

If want to help inner-city urban teens experience the wilderness and love to summit mountains then check out Backpacker Magazine's Summit for Someone and their collection of amazing climbs. The events cover 17 peaks and different levels including women specific climbs and expedition climbs of five days or more.

A organization that has been known for their marathon, half-marathon and triathlon events is The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training. This group is unique in the fact that you are part of a team and train together to work towards the big day. If the idea of running or completing a triathlon doesn't knock your socks off check out their newest expansion into Hiking and Cycling events.

If the above mentioned events make you feel like a fish out of water how about Kayak for a Cause? This group chooses different charities each year and past recipients have included Outward Bound and the Sierra Club. This July's race will be the ninth year with paddlers going from Long Island to Connecticut.

While this is a relatively short list I hope it gets you thinking about your next step and how you can take your love of the outdoors to the next level. If you don't see something in your community or have a specific non-profit group you would like to support consider organizing your own event. Take it from me there is nothing more rewarding then organizing an event when your passion is the driving factor.

Can You Give Back By Buying Gear?

This week I have had a lot on my mind after hearing more bad news about the economy and how this is impacting non-profit organizations. If you’re a regular reader or follow me on Twitter you know I am involved with the planning of The Women’s Wilderness Institute’s Gear and Cheer fundraising event. We have been very fortunate to have great support for the event as well as amazing organization like Kelty and Sierra Designs as 2009 sponsors for the educational programs. Also a new development from 2009 sponsor Mountain Hardware the Send a Kid to Camp program that is supporting TWWI and other organizations.

Between working to set-up the auction and receiving my REI dividend this week I have been thinking a lot about buying gear. As you’ll note from my previous blog, Gear on the Brain, my decision making was based on how much I can get with my coupon and dividend but then I took a step back. I realized I shop at REI because I like supporting their amazing Stewardship Program. So what if I based my brand decisions on something greater? In a time when corporations are cutting their charity budgets how can I show them my support? Easy, show it with my dollars. Buy from organizations that give back.

I took a bit of time to research the brands I already use and figure out what they’re doing to make an impact. After visiting companies’ websites and learning more I have discovered they break down into three major areas: Non-Profit Partnerships, Environmental Impact, and Event Sponsors.

The Non-Profit Partners

Since I am considering purchasing quickdraws by Black Diamond, let’s start with them. This organization supports a lot of regional and national organizations. As with most of these corporations their entire list of philanthropic contributions is too large to list but to name a few Black Diamond is supporting the Access Fund, American Alpine Club, and HERA’s Climb for Life.

The North Face also has an impressive list of partners. One organizations of note is GlobalGiving.com which focuses on supporting “high quality grassroots social and economic development projects around the world” by matching donors with community based projects.

While some may not consider Clif Bars and Luna Bars gear we can all agree we need nourishment when were on the go. These companies focus on sustainability with their own product development as well as partner with great organizations like International Mountain Bike Association and American Whitewater but they also have a unique way of connecting to the community. Clif Bar aims to get more people biking than commuting by car particularly when traveling within a 2 mile radius. Check out the 2 Mile Challenge!

Environmental Impact

I knew that Patagonia did a lot on the local level to help the community but their global involvement is impressive on a much different level. Not only is the Patagonia distribution center in Reno, NV LEED Certified but they’re developing a rainforest in Chile, distributing Environmental Grants, and have the Common Threads Garment Recycling Program.

Another heavy hitter in global environmental impact is Mammut. Climbers in particular will be interested in the Kirgistan Mountain Project where Mammut has set-up fixed ropes for climbing, helped refurbish base camp, and is developing a mountain guide training program. In addition Mammut has climate-neutral ropes but offsetting their production expenditures by partnering with MyClimate.org.

Event and Athlete Sponsors

Many brands including some of those listed above sponsor elite athletes, like 5Ten, helping to support some of the top names in climbing. Some organizations are known more for their sponsorship of events. Tubbs Snowshoes for example sponsors the Romp to Stomp Out Breast Cancer and Winter Trail Days. Marmot has also been linked to some great events like “Going to the Dogs” in Estes Park which supports local No Kill animal shelters.


So there you have it. While this is in no way a comprehensive list I hope it gives you a starting point when looking at how your gear dollars can go further. If you have information on other brands and their impact please email me at tali@mycupcakemafia.com or leave a comment.

A Three Cupcake Day

This year has probably been the best birthday I have had in years. After spending a wonderful evening with a good friend on Wednesday night the real birthday began on Thursday. I slept in and enjoyed some virtual birthday love via Facebook and Twitter then on to a whirlwind of activity.

I met my friends Janine and Lindsay for lunch in Boulder. We went to The Med and it was so nice to have a leisurely lunch with the girls. It's been so long since I have done that and it was like a breath of fresh air. We then sauntered over to Tee and Cakes for the first of three cupcakes.

My day continued with a little bit of volunteer time with The Women's Wilderness Institute. We're getting close to Gear and Cheer so it was time to do a preliminary walk through of the event site, Rembrandt Yard and pick up some donations. When I arrived at the TWWI office, my friend Lori had a wonderful hot pink cupcake waiting for me. This put a big smile on my face, however my teeth were hot pink from the frosting so I am sure it wasn't a very attractive smile.

Then on to the climbing wall with my friend Amber. Who arrived with a cupcake and one of those little toys that you place in the water and they grow. It's a pink cat, I can't wait to play with it! We only got in a few climbs due to a crowded wall but it was still good to get moving a bit.

Finally the last stop of the day was a wonderful dinner with my cousin Dana at Panzano. They have a wonderful four course menu for Restaurant Week and I am still full!

I am so thankful to all my friends for making it a great day! Between the virtual love to the real life festivities I am a truly a lucky girl.

Your mission, if you choose to accept it...

My work with The Women's Wilderness Institute has really made me take a deeper look at volunteering. Prior to TWWI, I tried a few different volunteer opportunities because I wanted to give back to the community but I didn't feel the connection. Not to say these organizations were lacking in strong missions or value to community, but I didn't have the passion for the cause.

I finally found the passion and drive to volunteer with women and girls outdoor education. I never lose interest in the mission and that fuels me, even when I don't think I have enough energy for a day job, social life and volunteer work.

Excited to have found something so inspirational made me wonder how are other people volunteering or are they? I looked at my friends and people in the community to see how many are currently volunteering their time and skills, I am proud to say it's about 40%. In addition about 50% of those who don't volunteer time donate money. I asked a few people what the main reason was for not volunteering and for many it was the lack of passion. They just hadn't found an organization that was a match.

So for those of you who don't volunteer, who want new opportunities for volunteer work, or maybe want to take a vacation and save some money, read on.

For Outdoorsy types one great tool is Service Leader. This website links to various parks and wilderness areas that need assistance.

If you're in Colorado there is also Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado. While visiting their website you can choose from a range of activities for individuals, groups, and families as well as adventure level volunteer activities.

If you're a climber you may like to plan or participate in an Adopt-a-Crag event. These events focus on cleaning and preserving our climbing areas as well as the trails leading to prime climbing spots.

So now maybe you're saying, but what about me Cupcake? I am not an outdoorsy person, I have to wear sunscreen when I sit near a window! Well the sky is the limit. The question I always ask people when they wonder where they should volunteer is simple, "When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?" A veterinarian, a teacher, or maybe an artist?" The go visit Volunteermatch.org and type in your location and keywords such as Animals, Kids, or Art and you will find all kinds of unique ways to give back.

For my fellow crafty types check out Sewing Charity. There is a comprehensive directory of charities that can use your hand crafted donations to support all types of organizations through out the globe.

Now I know you're wondering, what about those vacations you mentioned? If you don't need five star accomodations and don't mind getting your hands dirty consider a volunteer vacation. Depending on the type of vacation you may be building trails or teaching English. For far less than you would normally spend on vacation you can pair up with an orgnaization and volunteer while still having time to relax Resources include the American Hiking Society and Global Volunteers. I have not tested either of these personally but have read good reviews.

There are many other opportunities out there, these are merely a few resources to get you going. So get out there and make a difference!

Waking up from the Benadryl Coma...

Westword Artopia was a great time. Once again I had the opportunity to work with an amazing group of performers including Buskers, Belly Dancers, Fire Eaters, Burlesque Dancers and an amazing Aerialist.

However a full day of work at the day job and a full night of work lead to a full day of rest on Sunday. I was so sore and stuffy that I gave in, took some Benadryl and went back to bed.

However this morning I feel pretty good. I am heading up to Boulder for a full day of meetings at the Women's Wilderness Institute as well as a pre-birthday lunch with some wonderful friends.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Monday!

Gear and Cheer is around the corner

I have been climbing for about two years now. After my first course with the Women's Wilderness Institute I was hooked. I often wonder if I hadn't learned with their amazing instructors on a perfect day in Boulder Canyon, would I be climbing and drooling over gear today?

Hopefully the answer would be yes, but I know in my heart that something is just different about WWI. This amazing non-profit organization has really perfected the learning experience for women (and girls). They know how to speak to women of all ages, help them find their inner strength, and create an amazing environment that is so magical and rare.

That's why I am now a volunteer with WWI, focusing on the annual Gear and Cheer Silent and Live Auction. If you're in the Boulder/Denver area, mark April 23 on your calendar. The event is held at Rembrandt Yard in Boulder and will have amazing entertainment, wonderful auction items, and is a chance to mingle with other outdoor enthusiasts.

We're always looking for new volunteers and sponsors for the event. If you have time to give contact Lori Mathews, Volunteer Coordinator, at 303-938-9191. If you would like to contribute to the auction we're always looking for gear as well as unique items such as clothing, jewelry, or other goodies. It's a great way to generate publicity for your business as well as give back to a great cause.