I am excited to take on the Trailblaze Challenge again this year! This is my third year being a part of this fundraiser. My first year I learned that I CAN do the physical challenge of a 23.4 mile hike. It's no easy feat, but following proper training with a whole lot of dedication and time, it ended up feeling pretty easy the day of the hike. My second year was not as successful. I did ALL of the necessary training, but threw my back out the day before the hike. Seriously?! I could have been VERY angry and upset, but decided to channel my energy positively. It had been a tough few months with Alex's knee injury and surgery, so I chose to believe that some higher power wanted me to slow down. I still participated as a volunteer and found it to be very rewarding!
I had signed up again for this year, but after the spring and summer that I have had, I chose not to recommit. I just couldn't get myself to do the training or fundraising; however, that same higher power had a different plan. I received a gift from a friend who not only was able to add me to her team of hikers, but was also able to secure a large anonymous donation for me. My $2,500 has already been covered! Thanks to amazing people in my life, this challenge is back on for me! Though I have already reached my minimum fundraising amount, I would love to reach $8,500, which is the average cost of a wish. Wouldn't it be great to sponsor a whole wish?! With your help, it’s possible. You are helping me grant wishes for children!
I have decided to dedicate this year's Trailblaze to children, all of the children. As a Wish Granter, I have successfully completed 4 wishes and am working on my fifth. These kids, their families, and everyone's smiles makes all of the time worth it! I also want to dedicate my hike to other children, including the children who didn't make it, particularly Elliott and Cody who are so very missed every single day. I also want to dedicate this hike to all of the healthy and not-quite-so-healthy kids...your ordinary "normal" kids. We never know when our fate might change in an instant. My grandson is healthy right now and I pray daily that it stays that way. Let's do this challenge for ALL kids!
Will you help me support Make-A-Wish by donating today?
