Hiking for a charity

[Shroomism]

I was wondering if anyone knows anything about.. or has any experience hiking for a non-profit organization and getting donations to thru-hike the trail.. raising money for a cause. Like Hiking for Cancer or something.

See.. I really want to thru-hike the trail, I have the time, I don't have any obligations holding me back.. and I have the willpower and dedication.. and the gear.. but I am sort of homeless. I can't seem to save up enough money for any decent trip, let alone a thru-hike.. almost all the money I earn goes towards food, school (part-time), transportation, and the place where I am currently staying, after that I'm left with pocket change.

I would be absolutely enthralled to hike for a charity it if would help people.
Have your hike taken care of, so you can focus on the trail and finishing.. to help a noble cause! Two birds with one stone.
I've heard about things like this before but I'm not sure where to even start looking. Could someone help point me in the right direction?

Thanks.. peace and love.

[Lilred]

[QUOTE=Shroomism I've heard about things like this before but I'm not sure where to even start looking. Could someone help point me in the right direction?

Thanks.. peace and love.[/QUOTE]

The right direction would be to pay for your hike yourself, and any and all money collected for a charity would go to that charity. I'd be more than a little upset if I thought I was giving money to, say cancer research, only to find out it went to pay for your hostel, food, town stay or any other thing you would spend on for yourself.

I've toyed with the idea of hiking for an orphanage that our congregation helps support. I would never use any money collected for my own personal needs. All money collected would go into a special fund and I would insist that all checks be made out directly to the orphanage. Anything less would just seem unethical to me. YMMV.

[Jack Tarlin]

I'm going to put this kindly before other folks jump down your throat:

Hiking for a charity means you're hiking in order to raise money for a worthy cause. This means that most, IF NOT ALL of the funds you raise go directly to that charity. It does not mean that some (or most) of the funds raised go to support your trip, to buy equipment, pay for your meals, lodging, etc.

If you wish to hike for a cause, I think that's great, but if you don't presently have the funds to do so, then you should take some time to work and save money (even if it means taking a second or third job or skipping out on a lot of things for many months) in order to pay for your own journey. After saving sufficient funds to pay for your trip and to support yourself during your hike, you can THEN think about raising more money or additional funds to support a charity.

But to spend ANY of your charitable donations on yourself, i.e. gear, food, travel or lodging expenses, is just wrong, and is fundamentally dis-honest to well-meaning folks who think their support of your venture means that their money is going to a worthy cause.

Hiking for a cause means just that---you're raising money for a cause, and not soliciting the money that permits you to take off and hike. THAT money must come from you, and not from others.

[TOW]

shroom, this is not a good idea. let me make a suggestion, because this is how i financed most of my hiking out there, stop in the towns along the trail and work. if you are willing to work at just about anything for any type of pay you will then find an unlimited amount of resources to do so....some of the people i worked for and i are good friends now, in fact a couple i worked for up near harpers ferry, i now live with in alabama....i'm renting a room from them while i work at a heavy equipment outfit.....the main thing is you have to be willing to work, don't look for handouts because when you least expect it someone will come along and make your day....be honest to a tee.....most of those that you do get to work for will want to hear your stories of the trail....my suggestion is that you begin your journey with all the gear that you think you are going to need and money enough for a month or two....as you hike you will meet locals that are out on the trail for the day or weekend, tell them that you are hiking the entire trail and you are financing yourself by stopping and working along the way....you'll make it all the way....

[Shroomism]

Yes ok, that is understandable. I would not expect a charity to pay for my hostel, town stays and etc. Is it unreasonable to assume you could find work for food and stay most of the way along the trail?
If I saved and saved and cut every corner I can possibly think of including food and sold what I didn't need, I could probably have about $800 for the trail. Which is not really enough. But I'm so stubborn and determined that I would start walking that trail with $5 in my pocket and eat leaves and berries along the way. (slight exaggeration)

I don't expect handouts. I was just wondering if it's possible. Or do you HAVE to have 6,000 bucks in your pocket and friends and family mail dropping you food every two weeks. I have friends but no family. And there's no way I would come up with that kind of money.

Basically I was just curious, if you were going to raise money for a charity, they wouldn't give you any food or money along the way? I figured it would be a you help me, I help you sort of thing. Guess not.

[Shroomism]

I think you guys have misunderstood. I'm not asking for a charity to fund my trip that I am supposedly raising money for, that is unethical and against my values. I have NO problems working, and I am currently working 50 hours a week right now just to stay alive and have no money to show for it.

I wouldn't expect a charity to pay for my town days, gear, luxuries, and whatever. That's on me. I don't think it's fair though that you guys just jump on me and automatically assume I am trying to swindle someone or get a free ride. I'm not. I'm 23 and I've been living on my own since I was 15. I have had to work every day of my life that I was able to, to stay alive. I don't think that would change on the trail. I'm not a beggar and I'm not asking for handouts... but is is totally unreasonable for me to ask a simple question about hiking for a good cause and maybe getting a few free meals out of it? I don't see what's so unethical about that.

[Freighttrain]

if you want it bad enough you will fimd a way to earn and save the money... like everyone else

[Jack Tarlin]

You don't need 6,000 bucks or anything like it. But you'll sure need more than five.

People that start with too little money either quit and go home or become trail mooches and scroungers, which endears them to nobody. And while you can sometimes find work in Trail towns, you can't always count on it.....don't take for granted that you'll find work en route, as sometimes there's simply no work to be had.

I think you'll need AT LEAST $1500.00 on hand to have a good trip, and as much as $3500.00 if you want to enjoy what other hikers do.....decent meals in towns, the occasional hotel or side trip, etc.

Check out Weathercarrot's excellent piece on Hiking On a Budget which you can find in the Articles section of this website....lots of good ideas there on how to cut corners, save money, and hike on a tight budget.

[Shroomism]

The Only Wanderer - thank you that's an important piece of information. I can always work, and if there is plenty of it along the trail, that makes me feel a little better about setting off on it without a billion dollars.

[Shroomism]

1,500 seems a bit more reasonable and within my grasp.

And yes I will find a way.. I want it bad enough.

[Jack Tarlin]

Shroom:

Please note I said AT LEAST fifteen hundred. You'll almost certainly want to start with considerably more. And remember, this figure is for what you'll be spending en route; it does NOT include your gear, transport to and from the Trail, etc. (Falls Church is a long way from Georgia!)

People your age typically spend between two and four thousand dollars, with most folks seeming to spend between 3-4,000 dollars. $1500.00 would be a very spartan trip, so I advise you to aim a little higher for your starting figure. Also, whatever you end up with for a budget, try to add an additional 15-20% to cover emergencies and contingencies; it'd be a shame to have to quit near the end because you were short a few hundred bucks for gear replacement, medical expenses, etc.

Good luck!

[TOW]

[QUOTE=Jack Tarlin]You don't need 6,000 bucks or anything like it. But you'll sure need more than five.

People that start with too little money either quit and go home or become trail mooches and scroungers, which endears them to nobody. And while you can sometimes find work in Trail towns, you can't always count on it.....don't take for granted that you'll find work en route, as sometimes there's simply no work to be had.


QUOTE]good point jack, and this is very true...but if this young person has been on thier own since they were 15 then they should know a little something about conserving what money they make, but appearently that may be in question because of thier thread saying they are working so many hours a week and don't have too much to show for it....look what work i came across out there provided me with more than enough money, but there was a time or two i did not have a whole lot because of my mismanagement....

[TOW]

Shroom:

Please note I said AT LEAST fifteen hundred. You'll almost certainly want to start with considerably more. And remember, this figure is for what you'll be spending en route; it does NOT include your gear, transport to and from the Trail, etc. (Falls Church is a long way from Georgia!)

People your age typically spend between two and four thousand dollars, with most folks seeming to spend between 3-4,000 dollars. $1500.00 would be a very spartan trip, so I advise you to aim a little higher for your starting figure. Also, whatever you end up with for a budget, try to add an additional 15-20% to cover emergencies and contingencies; it'd be a shame to have to quit near the end because you were short a few hundred bucks for gear replacement, medical expenses, etc.

Good luck!

shroom, listen to jack...he's been there and continues to be there year after year after year.....they ought to call him the "energizer bunny baltimore jack"....just kidding jack....please don't reach thru your 'puter and out thru mine and slap me.....

[Shroomism]

Yes thanks a lot the for tips. I will certainly aim for about 2k-3k.
No I don't mismanage my money.. I make $2.20/hour + tips as a waiter, which isn't much. Almost all my money currently goes to food (not resteraunts - I buy cheap food), rent and school.
As for gear.. I already have all I need.
But I guess it's about time to start looking for a second job..

[justusryans]

While we are considering hiking for a cause, we are not soliciting money, we want to hike the trail and help bring awareness about mentally ill people. Most of society learns about mental illness from how we are represented on tv shows like Law and Order, or from the newspaper when some awful crime has been committed by someone with a mental illness, or from fundamentalists who believe that God can heal all things and we really don't need medication.
People who meet my husband and I have no idea that we are mentally ill (him bipolar, me schizoaffective). We're not walking around town talking to ourselves; although you could expect some weird behavior from us if we were to stop taking our meds. But one thing that drives me crazy is when someone with a mental illness commits a horrific crime, the general public wants the person to pay and to suffer, instead of being treated for the illness that caused it This is off thread somewhat so I hope you will forgive me.
Anyway, I don't think hiking for a cause or a charity is necessarily a bad thing. I do think using money solicited for a charity for your hike is wrong.

[Youngblood]

Jack,

I know you are aware of this and I noticed some 'tip toeing' when you were trying to help with a bottom dollar cost estimate. With energy costs increasing at alarming rates, I don't think anyone is in a position to venture a bottom dollar cost that they can 'hang their hat on' for next year... but it will likely be higher than it previously has been.

Youngblood

[Shroomism]

That is interesting justusryans, as I too was diagnosed both bipolar and schizoaffective. However I cannot afford medication (and don't believe in it) as I was on several types for several years when I was younger and feel that it did more harm to me than good. The medicine helps some people deal with their illness.. but everyone is different. For me it didn't help. But I do feel that everyone should be responsible for their actions, so I wont do something crazy and expect someone to blame a mental illness instead of my own bad judgement. However, there are some people who might be able to claim such things.. I am not one of them.. I am completely cognizant of my thoughts and actions. But I do know what it is like to suffer from debilitating bouts of depression with no one to turn to for help, but it has made me a stronger person in the long run I think.
If I was going to thru-hike I would want to be helping someone by doing it. Hence the charity. Ok no funding my hike, but it would still make me feel better to be doing something for someone else, instead of just hiking for myself.. even though that's a great thing.

[justusryans]

That is interesting justusryans, as I too was diagnosed both bipolar and schizoaffective. However I cannot afford medication (and don't believe in it) as I was on several types for several years when I was younger and feel that it did more harm to me than good. The medicine helps some people deal with their illness.. but everyone is different. For me it didn't help. But I do feel that everyone should be responsible for their actions, so I wont do something crazy and expect someone to blame a mental illness instead of my own bad judgement. However, there are some people who might be able to claim such things.. I am not one of them.. I am completely cognizant of my thoughts and actions. But I do know what it is like to suffer from debilitating bouts of depression with no one to turn to for help, but it has made me a stronger person in the long run I think.
If I was going to thru-hike I would want to be helping someone by doing it. Hence the charity. Ok no funding my hike, but it would still make me feel better to be doing something for someone else, instead of just hiking for myself.. even though that's a great thing.

You shouldn't forget about hiking for a charity, My pov was if you do hike for charity then money collected should go to charity.
As far as medication costs... Well, I go manic very quickly without medication, not a good thing as I am a class 1 bipolar, and my wife has been hospitalized multiple times, in fact every time they screw with her meds. So the medication costs are acceptable considering the alternative. You are also correct about how some people have trouble with their meds. I was on Zyprexa for a while and had good results but my labs came back saying it was damaging my kidneys. Soooo now it's Abilify. My wife has been on all of them at one time or another since she was 18. They just recently got her meds stable. So cross your fingers, if everything remains ok we will be thru-hiking next year.

[kyhipo]

i would suggest take what money will have and use it wisely and work your way,when you get to places ask you if anybody is looking for some help for a few days,You will be surprised how many people will put you to work ,might not be something glamorious but remember 20 bucks buys enough food for a week ,shop at the dollar store ,plenty of peanut butter and little debbies ect ect ,ky

[TakeABreak]

Didn't we hear this same garbage from you about a week ago under a different name. I you really want to hike the trail then stop school get a job earn money hike the trail and then go back to school. But please quit posting garbage about hiking for charity.

Be honest will you, just say you want to hike and get someone else to pay for it.

There a lot of people who wait years to hike the trail because of one reason or another, i Had to wait eight for my chance because other obligations.