Stepping out of a high-flying aircraft 12,500 feet above the Arizona desert is what environmentalist, pilot and skydiver Micheal Stewartt is planning March 22 in an effort to raise money for people and the planet.
As Stewartt reports, "We have all been wanting to do more to help, in the wake of the disasters in Haiti and Chile and the astonishing decline of healthy ecosystems. In that spirit, I will spend a day flinging my frail, 60-year-old self out into space to raise funds for Partners in Health -- medical relief teams, 1,100 employees, mostly doctors and nurses, working in seven countries, including Haiti -- and Wild Earth Guardians, an unusually effective environmental conservation group based in New Mexico.
"The idea is to provide a fun way for folks to donate to these excellent causes based on how many thousands of feet I freefall in a single day. Please consider making a pledge of a certain amount for every 1,000 feet I skydive during that one day, presently planned for March 22.
"With good weather, I will be in freefall for about 10,000 feet per jump," Stewartt estimates. "So, for example, if I can hold out through five jumps, I will be in freefall through a total of about 50,000 feet. If you pledge $1.00 per thousand feet, that would mean making a contribution of $50 to Wild Angels, a tax-deductible nonprofit that will pass the funds on to the outstanding organizations described above. Most likely my vertical freefall will total between 30,000 feet and 70,000 feet for the day."
Stewartt's goal is to raise at least $10,000 "to really make a difference."
The event is sponsored by Wild Angels, of which Stewartt is co-founder. All donations are fully tax-deductible.
If you are moved to join in, email your pledge to michael@earthjets.net, or call 505-989-7997. If you prefer, you can make a small donation online at www.wildangels.org. Just fill in the amount in the space at the bottom of the page and click "continue."
Personal checks are also accepted. Mail to Wild Angels, P.O. Box 4729, Santa Fe, NM 85702.
"Michael, great idea and wonderful dedication. I hope you will make many jumps that day and that good people will take the benefit well beyond the goal you have set." -- Mark Hyman, MD, Volunteer for Partners in Health and Vice Chair of the Institute for Functional Medicine
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Is your nonprofit organization planning a benefit for people and the planet? Let us know and maybe we can give you a bit of much-needed publicity. Email Terra Magazine, with Actions in subject line, at acorn@terra-marin.com.
