HuskerHope
We made it to the top!
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Huskers making a difference....
Husker Hope 2010 Kilimanjaro Climb
Help former husker great Joel Makovicka and former Husker cheerleader Shari Kopf climb over 19,340 feet, summiting the tallest free standing mountain in the world, Mt. Kilimanjaro, to raise awareness and secure donations for Nebraska Children who have suffered traumatic brain injuries.
Joel and Shari are partnering with the Grant Wistrom Foundation to form Husker Hope. Husker Hope benefits Nebraska children and their families by helping ease the financial strain that these traumatic injuries create.
The 2010 Kilimanjaro climb is dedicated to Derek Ruth, Husker Hope’s first beneficiary. 
Derek shares the same passion for football as his Makovicka uncles. On September 6th, 2008 a youth football game changed Derek’s life forever. An innocent tackle in the back field would prove to be something far more serious. Derek was life-flighted to a local hospital where doctors 
discovered that Derek suffered a serious traumatic brain injury. Derek continues to inspire those around him with his perseverance and his positive attitude. Derek and his family continue to battle this extremely challenging injury with great faith and hard work.
On September 6th, 2010 Joel and Shari will took their first steps on Mount Kilimanjaro, marking the 2 year anniversary of Derek’s injury to the day.
On September 11th, Joel and Shari successfully reached the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro and proudly flew the Nebraska flag for all of the kids!
“We are about to set forth on a great challenge…yet one that is quite minuscule to the challenges they face everyday…”
Romans 5:3-4
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
