I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Robyn in March 2014. She was a speaker at our national convention and I was so impressed with her and her message that she made me want to challenge myself and at the same time, help others. I had the privilege to participate in the June 2014 Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim trek. What an adventure and in addition to my participation and fundraising efforts, I had the chance to see firsthand where the fundraising dollars were going. Two incredible young women had the opportunity to embark on this journey with the fundraisers. It was wonderful to see their confidence build throughout the adventure and it made me proud to be a part of a great organization. Robyn and her team were there with us, supporting us, every step of the way. She is an amazing woman!!!!!
I was on the amazing Grand Canyon hike in September 2013. Mere words cannot convey how phenomenal this experience was. At oh-dark-thirty on the south rim, as we were gathered to start our hike, Robyn paid tribute to Sara Jones. Sara had hoped to be an Athena on our hike, but she had lost her battle with breast cancer earlier in the year. She was only 40 years old. There was not a dry eye out there in the dark that morning, and as Robyn spoke of Sara, a shooting star streaked across the sky. It was magical, and still gives me goosebumps every time I think or speak of it. Sara's spirit was with us on our journey.
The work that Project Athena Foundation does is so important, and I am so proud to have played a small part in supporting the dreams of the amazing survivors who have benefited and will benefit from this organization's mission.
Like Kelli, I attended a conference recently where Robyn was a keynote speaker. Her incredibly inspiring story immediately sparked my interest in getting involved in this organization and I'm very excited to be joining my first event in October in the Grand Canyon. The mission of the organization is incredibly powerful and I can already tell that the events and the support that all involved provide make a huge difference to the lives of those involved. I can't wait to meet everyone and join in on this journey that we will take together!
As a Project Athena donor and event participant, I can say with 100% confidence that this organization makes an incredible impact! Project Athena staff and volunteers live the mission and empower all those they reach. Medical setbacks impact thousands of people every day and for some there seems to be no hope. Every Project Athena grant recipient I have encountered share how their experience with the organization dramatically changed their life for the better. Transforming and empowering people is the name of the game with Project Athena and I am grateful to be a part of this group.
September 2013 I attended a conference where Robyn Benincasa was the keynote speaker. Her and her story are the reason I wanted to get involved. I wanted to help women across the US get up and get physical again. And I get to have a chance to experience this with them! That day, Robyn's speech impacted me and I wanted to positively impact her foundation and the lives of women. I had the honor of raising money for The Project Athena and hiking the Grand Canyon with some amazing people. It's THE experience of a lifetime that you can only experience yourself to get it. And it got me hooked! I'm looking forward to helping this beautiful foundation every year. Just as in life... each year is a new adventure for me :-)
In 2012 PAF became my charity of choice because I'm committed to their mission of empowering women who have suffered physical and emotional trauma to fulfull their adventurous dreams. I've been very blessed in my life and I want to "pay it forward" whenever possible.
When I finished the 2012 October Grand Canyon Rim2Rim2Rim trek, I knew then and there that I would be fundraising for the Project Athena Foundation in the near future. Well the future is here and I'm back to tackle another adventure. I'm currently signed up for the Keys to Recovery adventure and couldn't be more excited to have another experience with the PAF team! As PAF says, "doctors cure the body, but Project Athena cures the spirit." I'm lucky enough to say that I've seen first hand an Athena's spirit be cured and it's the most amazing thing I've ever watched!
Where could I possibly begin? When I got their (Project Athena's) phone call a few years back saying they would sponsor the Grand Canyon Hike for me, I couldn't believe it. I have looked into other non-profits, but Project Athena was the first to respond. They gave me insights on how to train for this event and helped me build the confidence I needed for such an endeavor. I can honestly say that for the first time in my life I gave more than 100% and it felt awesome! Also, the folks that went through this hike with me, many have become friends that I hope will last a lifetime. I can't seem to find the words to describe even adequately to feel what I felt when I reached my goal that first night and was received in the middle of a huge, group-hug. It was a peace I shall never forget. I hope to some day give back to this foundation as an Athena Goddess.
I was honored to be a sponsored Athena on the Keys to Recovery biking, kayaking and running 3 day adventure. This organization helped give me my life back. They provided amazing support and long lasting bonds that have continued to encourage and support me and others like me over the years. This is an amazing organization. I had no idea what was really going to happen when I received this opportunity, and I was blown away. Blown away by the support I received before the even, blown away by the individuals on the trip as well as the staff that was there to help us all during the trip, and I was totally blown away by the friendships that developed during the trip which have continued after the trip. Without this organization, my life would definitely not be what it is today!
I am a survivor of attempted murder and had problems rehabilitating in society due to uncomfortable PTSD symptoms. For a while after my traumatic experience, day to day social interactions were a struggle; I was always on the defensive, group social interactions were a "nightmare" I wanted to avoid at all costs.
I then discovered Project Athena, applied, and was accepted for their June 2014 Grand Canyon Rim2Rim Trek. Spending great time with the interesting and amazing people of Project Athena really brought me out of my shell. I can't deny that there is something highly therapeutic about hiking long distances while chit chatting, enjoying the beauty of the canyon, and swapping funny annecdotes.
I am incredibly grateful for what Robyn, Andrea, Louise, and all the other organizers of Project Athena have done for me and all the other participants.
They really are true philanthropists, dedicating their hard work, their love, their time to the organization of the project so everyone can share the best experience imaginable.
I found the Project Athena Foundation in 2010 and joined them for the Grand Canyon Rim2rim2rim challenge. I also joined them for two trips to the Florida Keys. That experience and this foundation have changed my life in countless incredible ways. I have met amazing people. I have learned that we are all able to do more than we could have ever dreamed as long as we do it together. I have seen true teamwork. I have had the blessing and honor of being a part of a greater whole on behalf of strong women athletes. I have gained more than I could ever have hoped to give. I have gone on several of the challenges now and each time I think it could not be any more rewarding...but each time it is more and more special. Thanks to Robyn, Jeff, Ernie, Blain, Andrea and all the PAF alumni, I am a part of a large family of love and support and strength.
WOW, what can I say about Project Athena? This amazing group of people help survivors of catastrophic illness or injury recover..."Doctors cure the body, Athena cures this spirit."
A truer statement can not be made about Project Athena. I was an Athena last year. My adventure was The Keys to Recovery, my group of gods and goddesses as well as three other Athena's, biked, kayaked and ran 128 miles from Key Largo to Key West.
I can't begin to describe the fun and support the entire Athena team offered, from replacing air mattresses on the fly, to providing hydration and nutrition products, giving participants a need pep talk or a push, to help you succeed, it was all available and given with such kind encouragement.
I am truly proud to have been an Athena and look forward to supporting this fabulous organization on future adventures. It will my honor to help another woman live her adventurous dream!
In reading about the Project Athena program I was amazed at the mission and opportunity being given women with medical challenges. I applied for the Keys Adventure thinking I was not worthy or qualified for the grant. Much to my surprise I was awarded & my life will never be the same! I successfully accomplished activities I had never done before. I am now not ashamed of my scars, not afraid to try new challenges & continue to have an amazing support team encouraging me through each additional medical and athletic challenge. Project Athena is an amazing program that empowers & supports women to live an amazing life regardless of what life throws them! I am so proud and honored to be a part of this family & will "pay it forward" when ever possible!
I have participated in two Project Athena Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim events (and I've been lucky enough to hear Robyn as a motivational speaker). The thing that separates Project Athena from other great Nonprofits is the impact of the event on the volunteers. I was so impressed by the Rim to Rim to Rim that I returned six months later with my eighteen year old son to do it again (high school graduation present - one that he will never forget). I can honestly say that I have incredible respect for this organization, for everyone that works for Project Athena and all those that participate in the events. There are a lot of great causes but this one does great things for the volunteers too.
I became aware of Project Athena and their mission through a fundraising run they put on in the fall. I participated in this event which was flawlessly executed and at which I learned much more about the organization. The feeling I got was that they are passionate and professional, the best combo for a successful non-profit.
I will follow their progress and support them achieve their mission as much as I can! They do good work!
I participated in a Project Athena Fundraising Adventure trip in the fall of 2013; hiking the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim-to-rim in 2 days (45 miles total). I participated as a volunteer/fundraiser. For my hike I - and 14 other volunteer/fundraisers - each raised funds of $2,000+. In total our group raised approximately $33,000 for Project Athena. Project Athena staff organized and led the hike.
Funds from this fundraising adventure, as well as other adventures Project Athena coordinates, funds grants or "Athenaships" for "survivors." Survivors being women who have suffered a life altering event. Project Athena's Mission Statement states:
Project Athena . . . encourages women who've endured life-altering medical setbacks to unleash the Athlete and Adventurer within and complete the journey of a lifetime—whether that's to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, cross the finish line of an Ironman Triathlon, or fall into the arms of a proud family at the end of a local 5K. Project Athena provides travel expenses, entry fees, coaching, equipment and, most importantly, the encouragement and inspiration to help strong, amazing women make that life-affirming transition from Survivor to Athlete.
The fundraising hike was awesome, best hike of my life (and I am a life long backpacker/hiker). Project Athena staff were great too as were the other volunteer/fundraisers. Organizations like this aim to inspire, build confidence, and empower women who have had setbacks in life; coincidental to addressing their mission Project Athena also builds confidence and empowers their fundraisers!