I was thinking of hiking the trail to raise funds for a charity. I think this would be a neat way to pay for my thru-hike and to help others in need. I would keep my expenses to a bare minimum and donate the rest to charity.
What do you think?
Is this a good idea?
Have others one it?
Roger
Roger,
I am also raising $$ during my hike, but I am hiking the AT to hike it, not to rasie money. I have talked to a lot of people that have raised funds/awareness but all were there to hike the AT first and to raise money second.
It is a great and noble idea. I have heard that there are hikers that don’t approve, but I haven’t spoken to anyone yet that has had that mentality.
JimmyP
JimmyP
It has been done before, with several different charities, from obscure ones to national big name ones.
I set my charity up with Make-A-Wish FOundation, basically people would contribute as I hiked, passed out flyers to coworkers, friends, etc. It is one of the many reasons I was unhappy to leave the trail after thrashing my knee after only a few weeks…
Approach the charity of your liking, explain your idea (many require you to fill out a set of forms laying out your plans) and go from there… If they refuse, find another. You can even set one up yourself and donate it afterwards, using a bank account set up for that specific reason, your bank officer can explain how that works as well.
-xtn
airferret
I hiked the AT in memory of my sister who died from breast cancer. Originally, my hike was to be a personal and private rememberance. After meeting with Hospice of Cincinnati, my hike then became a fundraiser. I paid 100% of my expenses for my hike. The fundraising efforts were handled through the foundation that I set up in my sister’s memory, The Cheryl Rose Walden Foundation. The proceeds from sponsors benefitted breast cancer patients and their families at Hospice of Cincinnati. To be able to serve others while accomplishing a 2,174 mile hike is an awesome feeling. “Where charity and love is, there is God.”
My website: www.walkingforwalden.com.
I have written a poem regarding charity hikes. It is on the Appalachian Trail History page. Good Luck!
Ladybug