Team Yogi Hippy Hiker

On average, it takes 7 attempts for a victim to leave an abuser. This is in part due to the struggles and obstacles they face when they leave. These victims often leave with very little personal items, sometimes just what they can carry on their back. To honor the uphill battle that survivors face when fleeing, I have decided to climb a mountain. Like the victims we serve, I will be taking only essentials that I can carry on my back. This journey will be a mentally and physically taxing to walk to the summit, mirroring the journey of healing and recovery each and every victim takes to become a survivor. Join me for the Safenet Summit to support survivors and help me raise $14k while I climb 14,000 feet.

Matt Ballard and his wife Traci live in Claremore with their mostly wonderful three children and two dogs. Born and raised in Rogers County, Matt is an experienced prosecutor who serves Rogers, Mayes, and Craig Counties as District Attorney for Oklahoma’s 12th judicial district. After graduating as valedictorian from Claremore High School in 1995, he attended the University of Oklahoma on a National Merit Scholarship, and graduated with honors from the OU College of Law in 2002. Matt began his legal career as a prosecutor in Oklahoma County.

While working in the special victims’ unit, Matt saw the harsh realities of how crime affects victims, families, and society. After returning to Green Country, Matt became the City of Claremore attorney in 2010, and was first elected to his current office in 2015. In his work, Matt sees daily the effects of cyclical and generational abuse, and the importance of agencies like Safenet. Matt and his team support Safenet and our shared missions as we strive to improve the lives and futures of our friends, neighbors, and communities by combatting domestic abuse, sexual assault, and stalking. Join Matt and support the Safenet Summit!

Team Flower Climber

Callie Schmidt is the owner and operator of “The Flower Shop – Pryor”, where she specializes in florals for weddings. Callie is a mom to two beautiful kids and has been married to her husband, Alex, for 19 years. In her spare time you can find Callie gardening, baking, homemaking, or surrounding herself with floral work. Callie is an Oklahoma sports runner who has participated in several charity runs, like the St. Jude 5k. An outdoor past time for Callie is a good lake day where she can be found kayaking or paddle boarding. Callie is also a big supporter, volunteer, and board member with Safenet Services, where she donates her time and creativity regularly!

Team Bar None Do Anything to Raise a Buck, Bar None.

There are always ways to help and I have matched helping and a great adventure! Please support me in my goal of raising $14,000 as I climb Mount Elbert! This fundraiser supports Safenet services as they face tremendous budget cuts. Sadly, I have seen firsthand the struggles of several friends that have been victims of domestic violence. This cause is near to my heart. I have also seen how our Safenet services met their needs and created Survivors! Be a part of my adventure and my 14,000 feet climb, one dollar at a time, and help me meet a need here at home.

Team Rian

I am a hiker and a climber, a mom and a wife, an adjunct professor at Rogers State University and a board member at Safenet, and a human who believes all humans deserve autonomy, dignity and safety. When I was asked to join the board of Safenet, I said yes because I believe in their mission. When I was asked to join this fundraiser, I said yes because I know how woefully underfunded Safenet is. Yet I also see how far this agency stretches every dollar it receives. In order to continue serving as the only domestic violence shelter in this county and the next, and providing critical resources to our community, Safenet needs funding. Please consider giving to this hardworking agency that offers safety to humans at their most vulnerable.

I am an attorney in Texas and California specializing in trade secret litigation. I am also a lifelong outdoorsperson and have enjoyed hiking, climbing, hunting, and just being outside for as long as I can remember. Climbing Mount Elbert and fundraising for Safenet was a challenge my daughter, Rian, proposed and I accepted to support her and Safenet Services.