CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwired - May 22, 2014) - A year ago, Lakeshore Recycling Systems CEO Alan T. Handley embarked on a life-changing trip that culminated at Mt. Everest's famed Base Camp in the Himalayas. Today Handley finds himself turning to friends, family and the broader public in leading a personal, grassroots crowd-funding effort to help Sherpa families affected by an avalanche that killed 16 of their own last month.
Average annual wages in Nepal are about $700, but Sherpas working on Everest can earn up to $5,000 a year. The loss of the comparatively high-earning mountain guides has left many of their widows and families struggling for money. With an initial goal of raising $12,500, Handley has raised more than $8,500 since May 5. The donations will be used to aid the Sherpa community in building a new school.
"They are incredibly hardworking and humble people who make their life on the mountain and while there I witnessed people at their best," Handley said. "I rarely, if ever, am taken aback by people, but the absolute genuine goodness of the Sherpas, guides, porters, and people who spend their entire lives on Mt. Everest, changed the way I look at many things in life."
As one of the world's smallest and most unique populations, Sherpas have been assisting climbers up Mt. Everest for centuries. Handley's Sherpa in the Spring 2013 expedition, named Pertemba Sherpa, made the personal appeal to Handley last month to help in the construction of a school. Pertemba is a living legend in the Sherpa world, twice scaling Everest, and chosen as the guide to HRH Prince Charles through the Annapurna region on the Prince's first trek in Nepal.
For more information and to donate visit: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/financial-aid-for-sherpas-that-perished-in-everest-avalanche
About Lakeshore Recycling Systems
Serving Chicagoland for more than 12 years and headquartered in Morton Grove, Ill., Lakeshore Recycling Systems is Chicago's leading recycling and waste diversion services provider. LRS provides recycling and waste diversion programs, affordable roll-off container services and comprehensive waste removal to businesses and residential homeowners. LRS operates a growing fleet of natural gas-powered trucks and is run by more than 350 committed full-time employees. In addition to servicing all 658 schools in the Chicago Public Schools system, LRS actively participates in the City of Chicago's Blue Cart Residential Recycling Program and is committed to raising awareness and fostering discussion on the importance of recycling and environmental sustainability. Learn more and follow the company at www.lakeshorerecyclingsystems.com, 'Like' us on Facebook and follow on Twitter @LRSRecycles.
Contact Information:
Contact:
Jim Engineer
e-Rainmaker PR for Lakeshore Recycling Systems
Mobile: (630) 728-1387
