Recently, Hot Shot’s Secret President Chris Gabrelcik met with Army veteran Sarah Lee, founder of 501 (c) (3) non-profit, Waypoint Vets, an organization designed to raise awareness for the high suicide rate of Army veterans, as well as unite and empower veterans through activities and adventure. Following the meeting, the company announced that it would sponsor the organization’s first canyoneering trip to Utah.
The cost of the group-organized trip is covered for veterans who participate. Waypoint Vets plans the adventures and takes care of the travel, meals, lodging and most gear, and organizes a variety of activities to accommodate a wide range of fitness levels. Gabrelcik was captivated by her passion and the goals of her non-profit, the company said, and donated $10,000 to cover the cost for the first Canyoneering adventure held in late October that allowed nine vets to participate in this inaugural trip.
Sarah said of her first outing, “The canyoneering adventure was better than I ever imagined possible. We took veterans from three military branches and six states on a five-day Utah wilderness adventure,” Lee said. “Our very first rappel into the canyon was 200 freaking feet! Watching these veterans bond and push each other and themselves was beautiful and powerful. It was exactly what I’d hoped and envisioned for Waypoint Vets, and now the vision has officially become a reality. I cannot thank Hot Shot’s Secret enough for their support and allowing my first Waypoint adventure to be even more than I envisioned.”
Lee is extremely grateful to Gabrelcik and Hot Shot’s Secret, she said, for making the first Veteran Adventure possible. When looking to the future, she added: “Next year, Waypoint Vets will be going from one National Adventure to five; to include Canyoneering near Zion, UT, Storm Chasing in the Midwest, a Kayaking / Mountaineering Excursion at Lake Powell, AZ, a Women Veteran’s Retreat in Destin, FL, and Cycling the Summit of Monarch Pass in the Rocky Mountains. This is only the beginning.”
