PCT Class of 2010!
I’ve started a fundraising project that I’m hoping we can all get behind and turn into something really special!
A couple weeks ago I wondered, what could we - the Class of 2010 - achieve if we each dedicated our individual hikes to a single cause and asked our friends, families & the folks we meet along the way to pledge a per-mile donation? The answer is of course, depends on how many of us get involved! I think each of us that signs up and actively spreads the word can get a lot of pledges, after all, these hikes are pretty interesting (not to mention long!) adventures and our families, friends, co-workers, etc are usually pretty supportive, even if they think we’re crazy! Once we have a good number of hikers and sponsors signed up, we can approach gear manufacturers, hiking food producers, retailers, etc. and ultimately I think we could really achieve some great results!
The next thing I wondered is what could and should we do with the funds? Obviously the first thing that came to mind was Haiti. This is a country with a long history of incredible poverty, and this earthquake has inflicted unfathomable hardship on it’s already impoverished population. There are plenty who could use help here at home, no shortage of worthwhile causes, but I think we need to start where the help is needed most, and whatever money we raise, it can definitely go a long way to helping a lot of people in Haiti.
How do we make sure the money does help as many people as possible in Haiti? I’ve personally had some experience with natural building and permaculture, and these non-mainstream but growing solutions to housing and food production can be highly effective on very limited budgets – and best of all, they can be easily learned and passed on. I contacted some friends at the Natural Building Network who work closely with a number of natural building and permaculture organizations, and discovered that they’ve already been discussing plans for housing, water, food and energy solutions in Haiti with a heavy emphasis on education and empowerment. I strongly believe this is one of the best possible things we could contribute to, and fits very well with the nature of our fundraiser in general. There’s more on the site about the project plans that will take shape over the summer while we hike.
So, after a bit of reflection that was the general idea and it felt like it was maybe a good one, but I wasn’t sure it was something other hikers would be interested in. I figured it was worth a try, so I got started on development and today for better or worse the site is ready for hikers to register their 2010 hikes, and for supporters to make their pledges!
If you’re on the trail this year, I hope you’ll take a look at the site and consider making your 2010 hike a Hike for Haiti.
When we’re having those inevitable low moments on the trail, knowing that there’s such a worthwhile cause attached to our hike might give us something really positive to reflect on. Every extra mile we hike sends more support to people who have much rougher days than our rough day on the trail. As someone who has tried and failed twice to complete a PCT thru-hike I know I could use that extra motivation!
Paul Mitchell - Potential 178
www.potential178.com
Paul Mitchell - Potential 178