When I hike the AT I want to do if for a cause (St.Judes, The Y.M.C.A, Special needs children) or some Organization. Anyone have any ideas and could anyone point me in the right direction or tell me how you did it…
Dustin Smith
Hike for a cause
system
#2
It is admirable to hike for a charity.
It is great to care enough about others to want to help them while at the same time living out a life dream by spending 6 months hiking on the AT.
Its a fantastic part of character to live to humble yourself so others my benefit.
But…
There have been a few hikers in the last few years who have done this for the wrong reasons.
They only pay for their hike with the money, or make up a charity or say they are doing it for charity when in fact they arent, and people begin to distrust or think bad of others because of a few bad people with less then grand intentions.
I by no means mean to insult you, so please dont think that, but hiking for charity on the AT has become almost as common as making a Documentary on the AT. 
Having said that, in addition to those factors, when you do hike for a charity, as with what you are saying, you dedicate yourself to that cause and not to the hike.
Its tough enough to do it for yourself, and tougher yet to know you have millions of eyes on you because you are doing it for a charity.
Then you worry more about letting others down then letting yourself down and that can destroy everything good about what you can get out of the hike.
Read the opening of this post again, as I think doing things like this for others is GREAT!
Just be aware of what you are facing and what you are doing.
If you do decide to follow through on this, approach a charity that you truly believe in, that does exist, that will back you on your website or journal or whatever and have them receiving the payments directly through paypal or their addy with no money coming straight into your bank account.
That will make you look more sincere and less like someone who is using the good hearted people of the world to pay for a hike for ‘this or that’, when in actuality it is just to buy your town beer.
Again, it is grand to help others, just be aware of what you are getting into and the words and things you may hear while in the process if it is anything less then admirable.
Do not approach other hikers about donating, do not approach townies about donating.
Tell them what you are doing, give them your info and let them decide for themsleves, as I do know of a couple who were hiking for a charity and they never said a word about it to any other hikers and they raised (Directly into the charitys account) a ton of loot for that organization.
They did it the right way, by doing it, but not letting on about how much they needed for the charity in hard cash
“right now, while I am in town and in front of you. so please give me money and where is the bar?”
Share your heart and your concern, give the info and move on.
Good luck with whatever your choice.
Lion King
system
#3
-Loin King
This summer as I biked across the US I wish so many times that I would have done it for a cause. I thought it would have been wonderful to be able to help someone in need while doing an amazing journey. Looking back I would have done a charity for the bike trip but I do agree with you on alot of the comments you made and I thank you for responding to my consern.
-Dustin
Dustin Smith
system
#4
-Lion King
… I forgot to mention in my responce that I hope your speach goes well. good luck!
Dustin Smith
system
#5
Dustin, congrats on being sensitive enough to the needs of others to plan a hike as a benefit. I did the same last year as I attempted to summit a CA 14’er in my chair for the American Diabetes Ass’n. Raised a little money and a lot of awareness. I’m still getting e - mails from new friends I met through this hike.
Make a point, once the charity is chosen, to post your web page on their site. Most larger orgs will allow this - I know the ADA and Amer. Cancer Society will help you do this. Makes for a comfortable place for people to donate, and allows you to review money raised, set goals, compile e-mail lists of supporters…use the resources they provide. Happy trails!
4wheelbob
system
#6
Have you thought of doing a hike to raise funds for the ATC? Many charity hikes done on the AT (and other trails) for worthy causes…but seen few to raise money for the AT/trails directly. The trails can always use support.
Would be something different…and directly giving back to the trail!
Something to consider in any case.
Best of luck in whatever you decide to do!
Paul Mags
system
#7
I hope to do a charity hike in the near future, one that would give back to the area.
But not the ATC. I hope to raise funds - or at least awareness of their cause - for one of the regional ‘land trusts’ in the Moosehead Lake region.
And the trail I plan to hike isn’t even made yet, although I proposed it and the landowner connived someone to go flag it :rolleyes but, still . . .
The land trust, by the way, is all for this. During the winter/spring I hope to have the fundraising (i.e. red tape) well underway.
Kineo Kid