Jill Maslanka & Paul Smith

My aunt and uncle at the top (I got it from my aunt)

My aunt Jill and uncle Paul once said “If you think you can, you can” and they are the type of people who always wanted to help. In 2005 Jill and Paul had big chance to help the Make a Wish Foundation. December 28 2005, Jill and Paul went on a climb on the highest mountain that you don’t need extra oxygen, Mount Kilimanjaro. Jill and Paul are part of the Make a Wish Foundation and are heroes to many children around the world.

them on the 3rd day climbing (my uncle)

Jill Maslanka always wanted to help people and animals. When she was 5 she lived on a farm and she helped any animal in need. Jill’s friend’s son was part of the Make a Wish Foundation and Jill heard that they wanted to do a unique fundraiser that everyone would want to join. Jill called the head of the fundraising to see if they could climb a mountain. He thought that was a really cool thing to do. Jill did everything from finding out what mountain to climb, to when they should climb.

them at the top (my aunt and uncle)

TORONTO SUN NEWS PAPER
Tue, May 4, 2004
Kilimanjaro climb helps ailing kids

MAKE-A-WISH FUNDRAISER HOPES TO NET $200,000

By SARAH GREEN, TORONTO SUN

Jill Maslanka is organizing a Make-A-Wish climb of Mount Kilimanjaro.

IT DOESN'T take an athlete or a skilled climber to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, just someone with a good heart. And Mississauga's Jill Maslanka, 38, hopes to take 30 big-hearted souls to the top of the African peak in December and January to raise $200,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. "No longer is it just incredible to do something for yourself, to run a marathon or climb a mountain," Maslanka said. "To do it for something, it's heightening the experience."

AFRICA'S HIGHEST PEAK
At 19,340 feet, Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest peak, but Maslanka said it's not a technical climb.
"It's a hike," Maslanka said. "You walk really slowly. The hardest part about the climb is adjusting to the altitude." Climbers will need medical clearance, but marathon training is not necessary, Maslanka added.
"As long as you're committed to be healthy on Dec. 27, you're ready to go," she said.
The group leaves Dec. 27, with the trek beginning Dec. 30. The climbers are expected to reach the summit Jan. 6.
Each climber will pay $6,000 for the trip to cover the cost of airfare and support from Tusker Trail and Safari, the expedition firm providing support, including oxygen and hot meals.
Maslanka said she hopes each climber will raise $6,900 in pledges, the average cost of a single wish for a child with a life-threatening illness.
The New Year's trek will be the fourth Kilimanjaro climb for Make-A-Wish. Previous efforts have raised more than $300,000.

When the trip was over they raised over $200 000 for the Make a Wish Foundation. My aunt Jill and uncle Paul are heroes because they will always be the people who gave over 10,000 wishes to 10,000 different children.