It's that time again

We have a lot of people to thank for making contributions this week, so we better get started:

Pamela Rostek - 7,200 ft. Base Camp
Ann Schumacher - 9,500 ft. Camp
HHS DECA - 9,500 ft. Camp
The Hamtramck Review - 17,200 Crest Camp
Janet Tabakovic - 9,500 ft. Camp
Thomas Niczay - 11,000 ft. Camp
Susan Sarti - 7,200 ft. Camp
Tricia Maslowski
Joan Borushko - 7,200 ft. Base Camp
Dena Smola - 9,500 ft. Camp
Sharalene Charns - 11,000 ft. Camp
Nancy Topulli - 9,500 ft. Camp
Maine Street Restaurant - 17,200 Crest Camp
Paula Stachowski - 7,200 ft. Base Camp
Dr. Russ Chavey - 11,000 ft. Camp

We could not do this without all of you and your support.  As always, please make your TAX DEDUCTIBLE check out to Piast Institute (put "Mr Rostek's Climb" in the memo) and mail it to:

Hamtramck Public Schools
3201 Roosevelt
Hamtramck, MI 48212

Hear all about it!

Today, we are sending out a big thank you to our next flag sponsor, local paper The Hamtramck Review.  You might remember that the review had a very nice article about the campaign just last Friday right here - http://www.hamtramckreview.com/2011/04/hamtown-movers-and-shakers/ .  Now they join Dickinson East and FRD Pharmacy as flag sponsors.

If you wish to make a TAX DEDUCTIBLE (it's not too early to think about next year's returns), simply write a check to Piast Institute (put Mr. Rostek's Climb in the memo) and mail it to:

Hamtramck Public Schools
3201 Roosevelt
Hamtramck, MI 48212

Thanks and we hope to be able to add your name to our summit flag.

The lastet round of thank yous

We may not have had school this week, but the campaign kept rolling along. On Wednesday,  Mr. Rostek pounded the pavement in Hamtramck and picked up a few more donations.  A number of businesses made verbal commitments to supporting the climb, and we'll find out on Tuesday if any checks have been mailed to the district while we've been on vacation.

Our thanks this week go to:

Lois Doniver: 7,200 ft. Base Camp
David and Kathleen Watza: 7,200 ft. Base Camp
Juljan Tinaj: 7,200 ft. Base Camp
Dr. Raghda Chwikani (from the Hamtramck Medical Center):  11,000 ft. Camp
FRD Phamramcy: 17,200 ft. Crest Camp

Thank you so much!

Tax deductible donations may be written to Piast Institute (please put "Mr Rostek's Climb" in the memo) and mailed to

Hamtramck Public School
3201 Roosevelt
Hamtramck, MI 48212

Thanks again!

Just what the doctor ordered

Just as they help patients from all over Hamtramck get the medicine they need, FRD Sav Mor Pharmacy has come through with a remedy for the Climbing for Success campaign - a check for 500 dollars!  FRD Sav Mor Pharmacy becomes the second flag sponsor and will have their business logo on the summit flag.

Congratulations and thanks for your support!

FRD Sav Mor Pharmacy
9811 Conant
313-871-1115

http://www.yelp.com/biz/frd-sav-mor-pharmacy-hamtramck

Could you be next?

If you wish to make a TAX-DEDUCTIBLE contribution, make your check out to Piast Institute (put Mr. Rostek's Climb in the memo) and mail it to :

Hamtramck Public Schools
3201 Roosevelt
Hamtramck, MI 48212

The frosting on the cake!

How many cupcakes does it take to get to the summit of Mt. McKinley?  That's a question that the Dickinson East Dolphins can answer.  Two days after hearing about the climb, the staff and the Dickinson East chapter of the National Elementary Honor Society organized a bake sale.  Delicious goodies, like cupcakes brownies, and cookies, flew off the table.  A cake raffle was held.  In the end, $563.15 were raised for Mr. Rostek's climb.

This means that the Dickinson Dolphins are our first summit flag sponsors.  Their school logo will be placed on the flag that Rostek will unfurl at McKinley's peak!  Great job Dolphins!

Who's next?

If you wish to make a TAX-DEDUCTIBLE contribution, make your check out to Piast Institute (put Mr. Rostek's Climb in the memo) and mail it to :

Hamtramck Public Schools
3201 Roosevelt
Hamtramck, MI 48212

A sincere thanks!

Once a week, we here at Climbing for Success want to thank those who have donated money that has been completely received.  At this writing, we know that there are pledges that have not yet arrived, and we will acknowledge you as soon as those donations arrive.

As the press release from yesterday stated, there are varying level of donations.  People can, of course, donate a little as five dollars.  The campaign will personally recognize all donations of $20 or more, according to this scale:

7,200 Feet Base Camp - $20
9,500 Ft. Camp - $50
11,000 Ft. Camp - $100
14,200 Ft. Camp - $250
17,200 Ft. Crest - $500
20,320 Ft. Summit - $1,000 or more

For donors of $500 or more, the name of the individual or business will be on the summit flag  that John takes with him and unfurls upon completion of his climb.

Here are the donors from this week:

Marian Strzelewicz -7,200 ft.. Base Camp
Amy Zacharias - 7,200 ft.  Base Camp
Anthony Bagdasarian - 11,000 ft. Camp
Matt Kanar - 7,200 ft. Base Camp
Justin Lilienthal - 7,200 ft. Base Camp
John Greiner - 7,200 ft. Base Camp
Richard Diebold - 9,500 ft. Camp
Veronica Lassen - 7,200 ft. Base Camp
Brad Neff - 9,500 ft. Camp

Thank you so much for helping us have a great first week.

If you wish to make a TAX-DEDUCTIBLE contribution, make your check out to Piast Institute (put Mr. Rostek's Climb in the memo) and mail it to :

Hamtramck Public Schools
3201 Roosevelt
Hamtramck, MI 48212

How did this all start?

Just where does one get the idea of climbing Mt.Denali (McKinley) in order to raise money for student activities?  Earlier this winter, Hamtramck High School business teacher heard an interview on the radio that turned his own personal goals into this shared goal he has for the district.

He heard an interview with Dr. Russ Chavey, who climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in December, 2010.  Dr. Chavey had decided to support technology purchases in the Grosse Pointe school district. While listening to the interview, Rostek thought to himself, "I can do that."  In August, 2010, Rostek had already scaled Kilimajaro and was turning his sights to his next accomplishment.  He says, "My goal is to climb the seven summits."  He goes on to add, "I like to think there are eight summits, the eight being our personal achievements. I would love to help our students reach their own personal summit."

In order to do that, Rostek has recruited students to help run the Climbing for Success campaign.  The logo on this blog is student designed.  One student is keeping track of the books, while others are presenting the campaign to other schools in the area.  At all levels, Rostek's climb has become its own student activity, allowing students to put into practice skills they've learned in marketing class, accounting class, or as student council members.  Many of these students will graduate in June and will not personally benefit from any of the funds.  Already, these students are climbing towards their own personal summits.

How can you help?  Well, the goal is $1/per foot on Denali, so we are looking to raise $20,320.  Please write a tax-deductable check to

Piast Institute
Climbing for Success
Hamtramck Public Schools
3201 Roosevelt
Hamtramck, MI 48212

I promise that we are working on a PayPal account.

Ain't No Mountain High Enough

With all the budget cuts happening in the world of education, it can feel like scaling a mountain to get funding for any of the extras.  But, as Marvin and Tammi (yes, we've got to show a little Motown love) told us, "ain't no mountain high enough."  That is just what Hamtramck High School business teacher, John Rostek decided.  He has decided to climb Mt. Denali in Alaska this summer in order to raise money for extra-curricular student activities.  He hopes to raise $1 for every foot of the mountain.  That would mean 20,320 dollars raised for student activities.  Some of those activities include student council, robotics and honor societies.  The activities funded through this effort (and more to come afterward) will benefit every Hamtramck Public School student, from Kindergarten through 12th grade.

Over the next weeks, we will be posting more information about our mountain climbing teacher, his guide, the mountain, and stories from students (past and present) about the importance extra-curricular activities played in their lives.

Our PayPal is in the works, but if you like what you've read so far, please consider making a donation to:

Climbing for Success
Hamtramck Public Schools
3201 Roosevelt
Hamtramck, MI 48212

More to come soon!