[pct-l] Hike for Haiti

[kylie skidmore]

great idea paul. i sometimes struggle with trying to figure out if long
distance hiking is a pretty selfish use of my time - this could be really
fantastic...

skids

On 10 February 2010 15:12, Paul Mitchell <bluebrain at bluebrain.ca> wrote:

> 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 worked together on a single cause, dedicating our individual hikes to
> that cause and asking our friends, families & folks we meet along the way
> to
> pledge a per-mile donation?   The answer is of course, dependant 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.
>
>
>
> www.hikefor.com
>
>
>
> 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 - Potential178
>
> www.potential178.com
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Pct-l mailing list
> Pct-l at backcountry.net
> To unsubcribe, or change options visit:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>
> List Archives:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/
>