BRAMA, Jan 16, 2004, 10:00 am ET
Press Release
Climbing for the Children of Chornobyl Canadian Fund (CCCF)
Montreal native, Bohdanna Zwonok will be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa this February to raise funds for Ukrainian children that are victims of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster. Her climb has been endorsed by Children Of Chornobyl Canadian Fund who received her offer with great joy. Accompanying Bohdanna is her friend Viviane Elferink, who is raising funds for The Children's Wish Foundation.
Being "of Ukrainian background, I wish to honour my origins by raising money for the children that were victims of Chornobyl's terrible nuclear disaster" - says Bohdanna.
Bohdanna, a Plast alumni, plans to raise one dollar for every foot she climbs for a total of $19,335.60. Businesses can purchase a portion of the trail with a $500 donation and have their logo put on a flag at the end of a 500 foot portion of the trail.
You can help Bohdana reach her goal by sending your donation (please specify: Kili project) to the Children Of Chornobyl Canadian Fund, 2118A Bloor Street West, Suite 200, Toronto, Ontario, M6S 1M8. Tax receipts will be issued and a list of donors published on the CCCF web site.
For more information, log on to Bohdanna and Viviane's exciting web site at www.contenta.com/kili or CCCF's web site at www.chornobyl.ca.
Bohdana Zwonok
(personal statement)
What a great way to start my fifties - climbing to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. I have been a go-getter, free and independent ever since my teenage years. Seas, mountains, snow and sand have always been inviting to me with extreme sports.
I meet the logistical challenges with the enthusiasm of the flight attendant, adventuress and leader that I am. I am very familiar with the destinations that many dream of: China, India, Singapore, Kenya, Zambia, Nepal, Costa Rica, Peru, Galapagos… Places such as Abidjan, Kiev, Honolulu, Sydney, Ko Samui are like music to my ears, reminding me of some beautiful memories.
I am in better shape than I have ever been. I have just completed the "Rallye des Gazelles", an extreme off-road car rally in the Sahara desert. I am now, more than ever, motivated and focused at becoming a model to women, both young and older. I am determined to succeed!
Benefits of sponsoring the Kilimanjaro expedition,
Media Exposure
Both Viviane and I are well connected in our respective communities, and are known as energetic
(the word is actually a little weak, but will do), performance and integrity oriented women. We belong
to many sports and travel-oriented clubs and circles. Our respective expertises are complementary;
Viviane possesses 8 years of Web project management skills.10 years of superior marketing skills and planned internet strategies and Web sites marketing & promotion.
This will ensure excellent visibility on the internet and top ranking with search engines, directories etc.
She also coordinated and presented successful trade shows; this will be valuable during our media blitz.
We already have an active internet site that can provide a direct link with yours. We invite you to acquaint yourselves with the info available on it at: www.contenta.com/kili
What I, Bohdana, have to offer, is my experience as a free-lance journalist (written and electronic media), and as a community TV. show producer will come in handy for PowerPoint-conferences-presentations, in which I am also experienced. In addition, for the past 4 years, I have belonged to a group of journalist-skiers that report ski conditions throughout Canada and the United States.
Please also take a look at my former site, describing my last extreme adventure. Most of the info is in French, but the photos are self-explanatory. http://www.geocities.com/gazelles119/
A document in Shakespeare's mother tongue is also available upon request.
We will offer you visibility on our site (including a direct link), during our media blitz (articles in the United States and Canada, already lined up: 2 TV interviews, 2 radio interviews, 2 articles) and during our expedition. We are making a
30-minute documentary about our adventure. You will also receive credits in the film generics.
I have a background in public relations and am familiar with media relations as well. I also worked in the airline, travel and outfitting businesses for over 30 years. Rest assured that you will get the expose you will deserve should you decide to sponsor us during our fundraising expedition.
By the way, I am still related to the Scouts Movement both in Canada and the United States.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for more info.
Regards,
Bohdana Zwonok
Tel: 450-243-5157
E-mail: bohdana@endirect.qc.ca
Dreams do come true
In February of 2004, we, Viviane and Bohdana will be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain in Tanzania, whose elevation is an impressive 19,335.6 feet (5,895 meters).
Both of us are already athletic, yet we have undergone specific and rigorous training to condition our bodies and minds for this adventure.
The challenge is immense, (especially for Viviane, since she suffers from asthma and osteo-arthritis) but trivial compared with the every day struggles of children dealing with life threatening illnesses. Having taken this to heart, Viviane decided to dedicate this challenge towards the gathering of funds for the Children's Wish Foundation of the National Capital Chapter in Ottawa. Bohdana, recently returned from a sort of pilgrimage in the Ukraine, vows to help the children of Chornobyl.
The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada is a federally chartered, non-profit organization dedicated to fulfilling a favorite wish of children afflicted with high risk, life-threatening illnesses.
Both Foundations are federally chartered, non-profit organizations.
We believe that dreams can really make a difference, especially if we are determined to make them come true. Our shared dream as friends and as enthusiastic outdoors aficionados, is to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and if doing this can help a child make his or her dreams come true, it will only increase our sense of fulfillment and accomplishment.
Our shared goal is to raise $19,335.60, one dollar for every foot of the mountain's altitude. You will find on the project page, all the details about our project, as well as endorsement letters from the Children's Wish Foundation and from the Children of Chornobyl Canadian Fund Foundation.
Please note, that should you become a sponsor or a donator, that you will receive the visibility you deserve, on the Children's Wish Foundation and Children of Chornobyl Canadian Fund Foundation web sites, on our expedition web site, and during our fund fundraising events and promotional activities held in Quebec and Ontario. In addition, we will be making a documentary during the expedition.
Also, businesses and individuals may "purchase a portion of the trail " towards the summit, at a cost of 1$ per foot. Purchases of 500 feet and more, will receive a photo of their "name-flag" standing on the trail, in addition to the tax receipt (any donator of 15$ and more can get a receipt). All donations can be made directly to the foundations, by mail or e-mail. (Please specify: Kilimanjaro project). Should the donations exceed our objectives, we will offer the funds to a pre-determined children's charity in Tanzania.
You can participate in this project by:
Becoming a donator
1. By cheque to either one of the charities. Cheques should be mailed to Viviane Elferink or Bohdana Zwonok at one of the addresses below.
2. By web site or e-mail: http://www.childrenswish.ca and at http://www.chornobyl.ca
NB: (Please specify that this is for the Kilimanjaro climb)
The foundations will issue tax receipts for all donations that exceed $15.00 upon request.
Becoming a sponsor
3. Should you be interested in helping us cover some of the costs of the expedition, either by donating or sponsoring some equipment, we would be most appreciative. You may send your contribution via mail, to one of us below, our check our list of needed equipment and services on our website and let us know what you can help us with.
Please visit our web site at: www.contenta.com/kili
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