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Five Men On A Mission... A Sacrifice To Help End Polio
  Combine a dentist, a restaurateur, a exterminating company owner, a financial services executive and an architect and what do you have? Until recently these five men had just one thing in common. They’re all members of the Area 7 Rotary Clubs. What brought them together to go half way around the world was a common denominator - polio. What they achieved is unbelievable.
     They became a part of the effort The Climb to End Polio Now - “Push for the Peak”. Gathering support and pledges from several people and businesses, they committed themselves to travel to the African plains and climb the 20,000 foot Mt. Kilimanjaro. It is listed as one of the top ten mountains to climb in the world. None of these men had ever climbed a mountain before and only two-thirds of those who attempt to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro are successful. They joined the fund raising adventure at their own expense, which included travel, equipment and clothing needed, at a cost of $5,000 each. They were joined by other Rotarians from the Charlotte area with a goal to raise $100,000. As they began their adventure there were 26 candidates in all.
  Rising majestically above the African plains, Mt. Kilimanjaro has beckoned to climbers since the first recorded summit in 1889. It is the tallest mountain on the African continent and the highest free-standing mountain in the world and has three volcanic cones, Mawenzi, Shira and Kibo. Mawenzi and Shira are extinct but Kibo, the highest peak, is dormant but could erupt again.
     As we recently gathered together to recount the event, their story of commitment and heroism emerged. They left Shelby on Sept. 7th to board KLM flight at 5:40 p.m. in Atlanta, then arrived in Amsterdam after 8 hour flight, then took a 9 hour flight to Kilimanjaro Airport. On Sept. 8th and 9th, they had meetings and prepared for the first part of their climb. Sept. 10th they signed the registry and the climb began. It started with a 6 miles hike to first camp, then 8 miles to the second. Walking on rough terrain, mostly sand and rock, each hiker had two walking poles to stabilize themselves. On Wed, Sept. 12th they hiked 6 miles and Thurs. 5 miles before a rest and starting the hardest climb at 11pm that night. The temperature went from nearly 85º down to 50º. It dropped quickly to 30º at 15,500 feet. Their tents were covered with ice and they clothed in layers, three on bottom and four on top. Each wore two pair of gloves. Suffering blisters on their feet, light headiness from the altitude, some with diarrhea and affected blood sugar issues, they traveled on. They wore lights on their headgear due to the darkness. The team learned about SCREE, which is a term used to describe a mixture of sand, very fine dirt and gravel. It is not solid ground hiking and one must zig zag their steps to move. As one climber said: “You take one step forward and slide two steps back.” Consequently, progress is extremely slow. Each encouraged their fellow climbers. It’s so physically challenging you think it will never end, but you must keep pushing yourself. Finally, you all make it. Exhausted! Tired! Freezing! Unbelievable! It’s almost 12 miles up and back. Upon their return with joints and feet aching , a hot shower and some real food was rewarding. “In your mind you are joyful and thankful”.
   The efforts prove fruitful because the pain and hurt was all worth it. These over-achievers raised more than their $100,000 to fight polio. For as little as 60 cents, a child can be vaccinated against this crippling disease.
   Upon their return to Shelby, they are definitely different men. They may not want to do it again, but their achievement was gratifying and filled with memories to cling to for life. The children of the world thank you!
With the climb Mt. Kilimanjaro challenge behind them, pictured are Allen Langley, owner H & H Pest Control, Shelby; Michael Cheng, Owner Chens’ Chinese Restaurant, Shelby; Tom McNichols, agent with Met Life Insurance,  Shelby; Bryan Baker, owner Baker Dental Care, Kings Mountain and Mark Patterson, owner Patterson Design Group, - Shelby.
  - M.A. Andrews

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