Lake Zurich grad's charity climbs to new heights

Andy Fox always had an itch to give back to his community and world.

So, he leapt at the opportunity offered by his employer, Accenture, to volunteer with a charity in Africa and participate in a seven-day trek to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

"It's completely different than what I've ever done, and it's going to be awesome to climb to the top of the mountain and look down at what I've been able to accomplish for the charity," said Fox, 25, of Chicago.

Fox, a 2001 graduate of Lake Zurich High School, will join a team of 30 Accenture consultants worldwide to scale Africa's highest peak in June.

It is part of an effort to raise money for Accenture's charity partner, Voluntary Services Overseas, which has nearly 1,500 skilled professionals working in more than 34 countries.

The charity sends volunteers to developing countries to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, improve the quality of education, and enhance employment opportunities and income-generating skills for native people.

Fox and the rest of the Accenture team will visit the charity's project site in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, to see its program in action.

Climbers must be in good shape to scale the highest freestanding mountain in the world -- at 19,336 feet -- while carrying a 50 pound pack, Fox said.

"The mountain climb is kind of our reward for raising all the money for charity," he said.

Fox, who grew up in Lake Zurich and whose parents live in Deer Park, is appealing to his hometown crowd to contribute funds to the effort.

His goal is to raise $5,000 through fundraisers planned this weekend in Chicago and in April in Lake Zurich.

Details of the Lake Zurich event have not been finalized. They will be posted on Fox's Web site: www.justgiving.com/VSO_Kilimanjaro2008_AndyFox

Donations are being accepted online through March 31, and go directly to Voluntary Services Overseas. For more information, contact andrew.d.fox@accenture.com.