(There are a lot of words below because I like to write. That said, I understand some of you don't like to read so many words and if this is you then go ahead and DONATE NOW and skip the words.)
I am super excited to take on this year’s Trailblaze Challenge in no small part to the organizers that read my mind when I last completed the Trailblaze Challenge on the Foothills Trail with my arthritic knees complaining louder that my teenaged girls over some forced family fun around the holidays. This year I am "hiking" (those are meant to be air quotes- since this is a walk in the woods, albeit a long walk) the first few sections of the Palmetto Trail beginning at Buck Hall Landing.
For me the challenge is not the 25 mile walk. I can do that. The challenge is the fundraising goal I set for myself, which I have been told is not reasonable and not attainable (CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!). When I first participated in the Trailblaze Challenge I raised $11,958, on a $2,500 goal. Just prior to hiking my second Trailblaze Challenge at the 11th hour of my fundraising efforts, I learned I was within reach of breaking the fundraising record. With a little help from my friends I broke the record raising $25,445, and was all set to ride off into the sunset (remember those arthritic knees). The very next Trailblaze Challenge (in which I was not participating) the incredibly generous, humble, and dedicated 86 year-old Bill Strickland (whose record I broke a few short months prior) shattered my my fundraising record with $34,873, raised!
I have the very good fortune of working with some of my oldest and best friends who happen to own a super dynamic and successful company commonly known in the insurance world as J&J. One of our core values is, "Shoot for the Stars - You may land on the moon." With that, buckle up because it is lunar mission time as I shoot for the stars fully anticipating I will land on the moon and reach my goal. It is not just the amount raised this one time. It is the amount raised this one time that leads to Mr. Strickland raising even more. It leads to all Trailblaze Challengers raising more. The year the records were broken twice, Make-A-Wish SC exceeded their fundraising goal by a factor of 5 (maybe more). It is about the super cool Wish Kids we hike for.
I have the very good fortune of working with some of my oldest and best friends who happen to own a super dynamic and successful company commonly known in the insurance world as J&J. One of our core values is, "Shoot for the Stars - You may land on the moon." With that, buckle up because it is lunar mission time as I shoot for the stars fully anticipating I will land on the moon and reach my goal. It is not just the amount raised this one time. It is the amount raised this one time that leads to Mr. Strickland raising even more. It leads to all Trailblaze Challengers raising more. The year the records were broken twice, Make-A-Wish SC exceeded their fundraising goal by a factor of 5 (maybe more). It is about the super cool Wish Kids we hike for.
Make-A-Wish grants more than 15,000 wishes nationwide every year? While that is a lot, only 50% of the eligible kids are receiving their wish. Every hour of every day, on average, three children are diagnosed with a critical illness. Every one of these kids needs a wish to give them strength and help them heal. I’m fundraising so more deserving kids and their families can know the true happiness, relief and renewal a wish can bring.
Together, we can do this. You will notice that I have already donated $1,000, to jump start our fundraising efforts. These essential wishes are only possible because of people like you. Together, we are transforming lives- One wish at a time!
