Building Community with Sims Metal
As we welcome our newest partner, Sims Metal, as a title sponsor of several events and a dedicated supporter of our mission, we want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible community that outdoor adventure creates. We met Colin, the Environmental and Regulatory Community Engagement Manager at Sims Metal, through Alek and our work with the Department of Wildlife Resources. An avid angler, new climber, and outdoor enthusiast, Colin has become a dedicated supporter of Beyond Boundaries, and his company, Sims Metal, has as well.
This partnership creates exciting opportunities for accessible adventure and allows Beyond Boundaries to continue expanding our reach and impact. Sims Metal served as the title sponsor of R.I.M.B.Y. 2025 and plans to continue supporting our work throughout the year, helping us facilitate new adventures and purchase much-needed equipment.
"Colin is one of those people who truly understands the power of community and sees outdoor adventure as a meaningful way to bring people together. Every time I run into him, he's got a smile on his face and a new idea to share. Our conversations always seem to turn into exciting collaborations focused on building a stronger, more connected community," says Shep.
The strength of this partnership is reflected in how it began.
"Sims created RVA Earth Day in Bryan Park in 2022, and we connected with DWR to see if they would participate. They provided us with a list of people to connect with, and that's how I met Alek. As an environmental and sustainability company, a lot of what we do aligns with Beyond Boundaries' mission," Colin explains.
Members of the Sims team began joining us on adventures in 2022 and have continued to support us ever since. Over time, the relationship has grown through the efforts of Colin and Alek, who have become important partners in building connections throughout the community.
"Our partnership with Sims Metal has flourished over the past few years, from collaborating on Earth Day events to hosting Disability Inclusion Trainings for their staff and receiving generous sponsorship for our programs and events. Partners like Sims make it possible for us to provide safe, fun, and accessible adventures for everyone," says Alek.
For Colin, supporting Beyond Boundaries is about more than promoting his company. The mission is personal.
"For me, I came from a very rural part of North Carolina. We were the poorest county in the state, and when I got to college, I began to realize that not everyone has the same opportunities. Working with an organization like Beyond Boundaries gives me a real sense of pride and joy because it helps level that playing field. It doesn't matter what your status or ability is. What matters is your interest and curiosity, and Beyond Boundaries helps make those opportunities possible," he explains.
We love seeing relationships grow within our community and watching people experience the impact of our adventures firsthand. Recently, Colin joined a climbing trip and witnessed a memorable moment with a participant.
"There was an individual on my climbing trip who was super excited until he got halfway up the wall and froze. You could see the panic, but you could also see the encouragement from the Beyond Boundaries team. They told him, 'You can hang there, or you can come off the wall.' It was really cool to watch," Colin says.
We're grateful to Sims Metal for their partnership and for helping ensure that adventure is for everyone.