The 11th Annual Friends of Scouting Luncheon will take place at the Chattanooga Convention Center on Feb. 25 at 11:30 a.m. The event is a major source of revenue to provide year-round programs, camps and services to over 5,000 youth in Hamilton, Bradley, Polk, Marion, Sequatchie, Grundy, Bledsoe, Rhea, Walker, Catoosa and Dade Counties.
The guest speaker is Jim Davidson, Mountaineer, author and he was featured on the TV show “I Shouldn’t Be Alive”.
Jim Davidson's Bio:
Jim’s survival story is the epitome of the Scout Motto which he learned as a Boy Scout: Be Prepared. While descending a glacier on Mount Rainier, a hidden snow bridge collapsed and dropped Jim and his climbing partner 80 feet down into a glacial crevasse. Sadly, Jim’s partner soon passed away and Jim was trapped alone deep inside the glacier.
Because Jim was injured and overwhelmed, he initially felt too scared to even try climbing out. But, the mutual trust that his deceased climbing partner and Jim shared meant Jim had to try. Jim’s loyalty to his partner remained, even in the face of death. Struggling to stay brave, Jim knew he had to do his best, even if it seemed hopeless.
Following the principle of Be Prepared, Jim had extensive knowledge of and practice with rope rescue techniques, even though he had never previously needed to put them to use. The five hours of difficult climbing, his injuries and emotional uncertainty wore Jim down. As his own strength faded, Jim relied heavily upon faith, commitment to his family, and his obligation to help his partner’s family by getting Mike home to them.
Jim made it out of the crevasse. After extensive healing, Jim now shares his incredible survival story and the lessons it demonstrates. By sharing these valuable lessons in his presentation and in his award-winning book, The Ledge, Jim continues striving to do his best, and to help others.
2015 Luncheon Partners include: Elliott Davis Decosimo, Husch Blackwell, BlueCross BlueShield of TN Community Trust, Elder’s Ace Hardware, First Tennessee Bank, Mauldin & Jenkins, CHI Memorial, Barge, Waggoner, Summer & Cannon, Inc., Cornerstone Community Bank, and Trail’s End. Media Partners include: Chattanooga Times Free Press, Master Graphics, Graphic Advertising, and Gault & Associates.