JODY COLE SUMMITS KILIMANJARO

Owner and guide of Wild Rainbow African Safaris reaches peak,
continues fundraising for Equality California

On January 15, 2011, Jody Cole, owner and guide of Wild Rainbow African Safaris, reached the summit of Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain at 19,340 feet above sea level.


In a video issued from the summit (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXF43eAgpYE), Jody breathlessly expressed her gratitude to her supporters: "I really want to thank all of the supporters who got me up to the top of this mountain, and I want to thank Equality California for all the hard work they're doing to pass legislation in the state of California. I climbed this mountain to raise money to end bullying and to help Equality California pass legislation.... I did it!"


Jody has been working with Equality California to raise a dollar for each foot of height of Mount Kilimanjaro (http://www.eqca.org/coleclimbskilimanjaro). The funds raised will be earmarked to support the passage of legislation for marriage equality and to fight the bullying of LGBT youth in the state of California.


Two upcoming welcome home receptions will further the fundraising efforts: Monday, February 7, 6-9 pm at the newly opened Citizen Cake (2125 Fillmore St) in San Francisco, and Thursday, February 3, 6-9 pm at Branches Restaurant (1180 Airport Park Blvd) in Jody's hometown of Ukiah, CA. The public is invited. Jody will speak and answer questions, and wine and appetizers will be served.


This is not Jody's first time at the summit. She first climbed Kilimanjaro in 1998, on her first trip to Africa. Though it was her first time on African soil, she felt as if she were returning home. That trip began a passion for Africa that ultimately drove her to start her safari business. With this second summiting of Kilimanjaro 13 years later, Jody is having a new kind of homecoming.


Jody returns to the U.S. this week, and is available for interviews. Should you like to arrange a time to talk with her, or require any further assets or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.