Randy Pierce is willing to climb mountains to help others. What makes it even more remarkable is that Pierce, age 44, is totally blind, and has committed himself to climb all 48 peaks in NH taller than 4,000 feet by the year 2020, led by his guide dog, Quinn.
In doing so, he aims to raise funds for two charities that have been instrumental in helping him rise above the limitations of blindness: The NH Association for the Blind, which provides rehabilitative services in every community in the state, and Guiding Eyes For The Blind, an organization that raises and trains “seeing eye” guide dogs, providing them at little or no cost to the recipient.
As a way of capping off their first season of hiking, Randy's charitable organization, 2020 Vision Quest is hosting a dinner-dance and auction at The Derryfield in Manchester, the evening of October 23. Proceeds of ticket and auction sales fund the work of 2020 Vision Quest, and Randy's two favored charities. Tickets are available through the web at 2020VisionQuest.org, or by calling 1-888-54-2020-1, x10.
Already Team 2020 has reached remarkable heights. "The Mighty Quinn" has led his handler to the top of Mt Washington, Mt Hale, Mt Tom, Cannon Mountain, Mt Field and Mt Liberty, with the season's final hike of Mt Pierce planned for early October. A yellow labrador retriever, Quinn has demonstrated both an uncanny aptitude for mountain guiding as well as boundless stamina, working alongside Pierce for as long as 12 hours in a day.
Randy's charitable mission is timely. The number of visually impaired Americans is expected to reach nearly 32 million by the year 2020, as the Baby Boom generation ages. Vision impairment affects the elderly at a far higher rate - as many as 1 in 6 - and affects all social strata equally.
For additional information on 2020 Vision Quest, Randy, or the project, contact Randy Pierce or visit 2020VisionQuest.org.
About 2020 Vision Quest
2020 Vision Quest inspires people to reach beyond adversity and achieve their highest goals - personal, professional, and philanthropic. We believe in leading by example, in climbing the highest peaks, and in sharing our successes and challenges with each other. The organization is organized as a 501(c)(3) charity, affiliated with the NH Association for the Blind.
In doing so, he aims to raise funds for two charities that have been instrumental in helping him rise above the limitations of blindness: The NH Association for the Blind, which provides rehabilitative services in every community in the state, and Guiding Eyes For The Blind, an organization that raises and trains “seeing eye” guide dogs, providing them at little or no cost to the recipient.
As a way of capping off their first season of hiking, Randy's charitable organization, 2020 Vision Quest is hosting a dinner-dance and auction at The Derryfield in Manchester, the evening of October 23. Proceeds of ticket and auction sales fund the work of 2020 Vision Quest, and Randy's two favored charities. Tickets are available through the web at 2020VisionQuest.org, or by calling 1-888-54-2020-1, x10.
Already Team 2020 has reached remarkable heights. "The Mighty Quinn" has led his handler to the top of Mt Washington, Mt Hale, Mt Tom, Cannon Mountain, Mt Field and Mt Liberty, with the season's final hike of Mt Pierce planned for early October. A yellow labrador retriever, Quinn has demonstrated both an uncanny aptitude for mountain guiding as well as boundless stamina, working alongside Pierce for as long as 12 hours in a day.
Randy's charitable mission is timely. The number of visually impaired Americans is expected to reach nearly 32 million by the year 2020, as the Baby Boom generation ages. Vision impairment affects the elderly at a far higher rate - as many as 1 in 6 - and affects all social strata equally.
For additional information on 2020 Vision Quest, Randy, or the project, contact Randy Pierce or visit 2020VisionQuest.org.
About 2020 Vision Quest
2020 Vision Quest inspires people to reach beyond adversity and achieve their highest goals - personal, professional, and philanthropic. We believe in leading by example, in climbing the highest peaks, and in sharing our successes and challenges with each other. The organization is organized as a 501(c)(3) charity, affiliated with the NH Association for the Blind.