Mindy Ahler

By day, I'm CCL's Congressional Liaison Program Manager. But as a lifelong Minnesotan, I love winter and getting outside. My husband, Paul, has inspired me to join in the annual tradition of skiing in the American Birkebeiner, the largest cross-country ski race on the continent - though I'm now doing the Kortelopett which is the half-distance event. The picture above is Paul and I at last year's start that was very cold, so we had taped our faces to prevent frostbite.

Throughout the month of December I'll be putting my Birkie training to good use to raise money for climate action! The event takes place in late February and will be 30 kilometers in total for me. So I'm getting started with my training in December by aiming to ski (or hike) 50 kilometers during CCL's annual Year End Fundraiser campaign (Dec. 2 - 31). As a result, if you'd like to support both my training as well as our collective nonpartisan bridge-building climate advocacy, thanks for pledging to donate!

Given that snow is not very reliable in the cities, I may need to revert to training on foot rather than skis, but I'll still measure by the kilometer. Getting started is always the hardest part, so you're helping me get out the door for a good cause.

Pledges will likely translate to:

• 25 cents per kilometer skied = total donation of $12.5 (if I complete 50 kilometers skied, as planned)

• One dollar per kilometer skied = total donation of $50

• Three dollars per kilometer skied = total donation of $150

You get the idea! I might end up doing fewer kilometers skied because life is unpredictable. But fair warning — I also might do more because once I get started I remember how much I love the alone time out skiing as a way to refresh. Pledge wisely :)

(Note that the button will say "pledge per point" when you choose this option. If you prefer more certainty about your final donation amount, feel free to donate a flat amount rather than making a per-kilometer pledge.)

Every tax-deductible gift to Citizens’ Climate Education (CCE) directly funds the training, education, and tools Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) volunteers need to effectively advocate for climate solutions.