The mountain was Denali, the date was July 4, 2016, and the temperatures were below freezing. Local firefighters, Clint Brewer and Alex Cramer, summited 20,310 feet in honor of the children attending The WARM Place. Through compassion and determination, the two firefighters set a goal to raise $20,310 (the height of Denali) for The WARM Place.
The idea of raising money for The WARM Place through their climb started in 2016. Having done several climbs before, Brewer and Cramer knew they wanted their next climb to make a difference in the lives of others. They contemplated different organizations, but after touring The WARM Place, they knew that the mission of The WARM Place was what they wanted their climb to benefit.
When asked why, Brewer said that as a firefighter he sees what challenges children go through every day. The WARM Place helps to alleviate some of these challenges, and so for him, it is a way to help the organization continue its mission. For Cramer, after experiencing a death loss in his own life at a young age, The WARM Place spoke to his heart. He said he recognizes that not every child has a strong family support system like he did after a death loss. This is where The WARM Place comes in, and why it is so important in the lives of grieving children.
Climbing a mountain is like navigating your grief journey: With personal commitment and teamwork, any obstacle can be overcome. Any obstacle.” – Brewer
After selecting The WARM Place as the beneficiary of their Denali climb, Brewer and Cramer, along with the support of another local firefighter, Ben Ogletree, organized an event to help raise their goal of $20,310. The fundraiser was held at Rahr Brewery, which included beer, live music for the cost of a $20 ticket. July 4, 2016, arrived, and the climb was successful! Brewer and Cramer reached the summit of Denali and snapped pictures of The WARM Place and Texas flags. The Texas flag was later auctioned off to raise additional money, and both flags now hang in The WARM Place house. A Cold Climb 2016 raised $22,764 in honor of the children attending The WARM Place – what a climb!
Two years later, they’re at it again! Brewer and Cramer will be tackling an even higher climb – Mt. Aconcagua located in Argentina. In January 2019, they will pack their bags and climb treacherous slopes again in honor of the children at The WARM Place. Brewer and Cramer have set yet another fundraising goal to match the height of their climb-$22,841!
For me, climbing is a great way to remember and honor the people I have lost in my life. I owe it to them to get out there and experience life and what it has to offer.” – Cramer
We hope you will join us in supporting these two heroes as they summit Mt. Aconcagua in honor of the children attending The WARM Place! You can learn more about this year’s Cold Climb below!
Funds for “A Cold Climb for The WARM Place” will be raised at a special event on November 15th from 6-9pm at Rahr & Sons Brewery in Fort Worth. Guests will enjoy a night of cold beer and fundraising for The WARM Place. Tickets are just $25 and include a commemorative pint glass and 4 Rahr & Sons beers. Tickets are available for purchase online and at the door. November 15 also happens to be Children’s Grief Awareness Day, a perfect day for this event.
Can’t make it to the event, but still want to support A Cold Climb? You can donate here! All donations will directly benefit children enrolled in grief support at The WARM Place.
