Trekking Ambassadors, a Santa Barbara-based international trekking organization will host a 5K Trail Run – Hike fundraiser, 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 5 at Tucker’s Grove Park, 4800 Cathedral Oaks Road.
Proceeds will benefit the adventure hiking team on a mission to deliver solar lights and reading eyeglasses to remote villagers in the Mount Everest region.
Additional beneficiaries are Santa Barbara Wellness Trekking Ambassadors’ nonprofit umbrella organization; Unite to Light, dedicated to providing low-cost solar light and power to those without electricity across the globe; and The Waldorf School of Santa Barbara.
To register as an individual, family or team, click here. There will be a raffle for gift baskets; gift certificates for sport equipment and excursions; gourmet foods; and luxury items. There will also be chair massages, a giant chocolate chip cookie bake sale, and body composition/antioxidant readings.
“Our team is equipped to trek into harsh unpredictable remote regions worldwide,” said Heather Bond, a world adventurer, former competitor on the TV series “Eco Challenge,” (branded “The World’s Toughest Race”), and a founder of Trekking Ambassadors.
“In March, 2023, we’ll hike to small, isolated villages — some of which are above 15,000 feet — in the Mount Everest region,” Bond said. “The goal is to transport and deliver various strengths of reading glasses to local clinics along with Unite to Light solar reading lights (Luke Lights) to the students in five different villages, including three near the Everest Base Camp.”
In July and August of this year, Bond and the team completed their first mission Treks for Light and Sight in Tanzania. They established “solar light libraries” at both the Makomu and Umboni Secondary schools in Marangu Village.
In addition to participating in the 5K event, people can also support the upcoming trek by taking advantage of the Unite To Light BOGO SPECIAL, Oct. 23 through Nov. 5. When you purchase a portable solar light, Trekking Ambassadors gets one free for their mission to Nepal.
Bond said she is “excited and humbled to give back to the world we explore,” and wishes to thank donors and sponsors supporting the event: Bragg.com; Handlebar Coffee; Yater Actives; Paddle Sports; The Water Store; Cafe Dolce, and Santa Ynez Valley Bike Repair.