Birmingham amputee, wife climb Mt. Kilimanjaro for great cause

After climbing to an elevation of 19,341 feet during a grueling climb that started on Aug. 25 and logged 47 miles over nine days, Steve Annear, CEO of the Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s, and his wife Shawna have completed their Kilimanjaro Challenge, climbing the highest mountain in Africa.

The Annears began training over a year ago with the goal to raise funds and awareness for the Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson’s Wellness, which officially opens next month in Farmington Hills.

Before he departed for Tanzania in late-August, Steve had met his fundraising goal of $250,000 which was matched by a grant from the Lasch Family Foundation Fund.

While the couple celebrate reaching the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro,  the fundraising continues as Tom Archipley, a director on the Board of the Kirk Gibson Foundation and longtime friend of Kirk Gibson, and his wife Dina, have pledged to match every donation made 1-for-1, until a new goal of $250,000 is achieved.

$1 mil in donations in sight

This generous new pledge provides an overall opportunity for the foundation to potentially raise over $1,000,000 to support those living with Parkinson’s in Michigan.

As if the rigorous year-long training and final trek to Kilimanjaro’s summit wasn’t demanding enough, Steve, an amputee since age 11, completed the 47-mile climb on crutches.  His determination and perseverance served as inspiration to the team at the Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson’s Wellness.

Steve, who was named the Foundation’s CEO in 2022, has led the strategy behind the opening of the Center, including its mission, the design and development of the 30,000-square-foot facility, and programming tailored exclusively for members and their care partners.

The thought of benefiting the Center and supporting members and their families encouraged him through the more arduous moments of his ascent. His personal goal, which he successfully completed, was to complete this fundraising initiative prior to the Center’s grand opening on Oct. 6

It’s about ‘more than reaching the summit’

“The Kilimanjaro Challenge has always been about more than reaching the summit,” Steve Annear said.  “It’s about showing up for the Parkinson’s community, for those living with the disease and for the Care Partners walking beside them.

“With the generous support of corporate and public donors, the Center can continue to improve the quality of life for people living with Parkinson’s.”

“Throughout our many years of friendship, Kirk’s commitment to improving the lives of individuals with Parkinson’s and their Care Partners has been unwavering,” says Tom Archipley, director on the Board for the Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s.

“Dina and I are honored to celebrate Steve Annear’s amazing accomplishment and support this final fundraising effort before the Center’s opening.”

Kirk Gibson appreciative

“Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro is an incredible accomplishment in itself and doing it to support the Parkinson’s community in Michigan makes Steve and Shawna’s achievement even more extraordinary,” Gibson added. “I would also like to thank all of the generous donors and my good friends, Tom and Dina Archipley, for supporting our pre-opening fundraising efforts.”

Donations to the Kirk Gibson Foundation that are made now, will be matched by Tom and Dina Archipley until the goal of $250,000 is achieved.

Companies and organizations can join current supporters and sponsors like The Lasch Family Foundation Fund, Mitch Lyons Wealth, Lineage Foundation for Good, Planet Fitness and Giroux Pappas. All proceeds will benefit the Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson’s Wellness.

For more information on the Center and to make a donation, please visit KirkGibsonCenter.org and click on “Donate.”