Thomas Ruggiero decided to do two things he had never done before--travel abroad alone and take an adventure trip. So... after hearing about climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro more than twice in about two weeks, Tom signed up and was ready to climb (more or less). However, on the mountain, Tom discovered far more than the breathtaking views and mountain fresh air. Climbing with about 60 porters and guides from local Tanzania, Tom learned of the circumstances there, felt tremendous gratitude for being able to live and work in the great New York City, and wanted to give back. it wasn't until a chance encounter at an entrepreneurship event in Connecticut about a year later that Tom would find the means to accomplish his goal. At "Camp Maverick," Tom met Katie Hunt-Morr, co-founder of Jiamini, a U.S. 501(c)(3) charity dedicated to giving vulnerable children in Tanzania the support and safety necessary for them to get an education and escape their impoverished circumstances. What are the odds Tom would meet the co-founder of a Tanzanian charity helping the people Tom wanted to support? Tom took it as a sign, partnered with Katie and Jiamini, and founded Summits for Scholars, an organization dedicated to climbing mountains to raise awareness and funds for Jiamini and the vulnerable Tanzanian youth.