It’s that time of year and we are getting things together for the March meeting of the HIKE Board.

We would like to hear from each jurisdiction regarding:

1.  HIKE events and presentations that have taken place so far, this SGC term.  Let me know what has taken place
and send pictures of the event (along with paperwork from the presentation).  And, let me know how successful it was.

2.  Advise if there has been a change in your jurisdiction’s HIKE Coordinator/Daughter Coordinator.  I will need their name, address, phone numbers and e-mail address.  Send to: jan14@embarqmail.com.

3.  If you have plans for an event sometime during the remainder of this term, let me know that plans are in the works.

4.  Also, please make sure that award presentation info has been forwarded to us at your earliest convenience.  We ask also that pictures of the event be included.

5.  If you are planning to attend Supreme Session this year, will you be attending the HIKE Coordinators meeting and what HIKE info would you like to hear more about.

Also, all funds raised should be sent to John Hauser, HIKE Board Executive Secy., 530 Elliott St., Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0202 following the events.  If they have not been sent, please forward them as early as possible.

Follow The HIKE Fund, Inc at: thehikefund.org and on Facebook: The HIKE Fund Inc.

Please note that HIKE is spelled without the dots. Not H.I.K.E.

A response by 2/27/2017 would be appreciated.

Your time and work for HIKE, Inc. if truly appreciated and we thank you for all you have done to make this endeavor what it is for the Hearing-Impaired Kids who benefit from the Fund.

Jan Reinhart, Director of Coordinators

HIKE Coordinators, will you or a representative be attending Supreme Session in Grand Rapids this year? A quick “yes” or “no” response is requested by Jan Reinhart, Director of Coordinators, jan14@embarqmail.com by Thursday, March 3, 2016. If you are planning to attend, please also indicate what you would like to learn about HIKE, if there have been any changes in your state coordinator, and what resources you need. Your input is truly appreciated. Thank you!

On December 19, 2015, Bethel #38 of Speedway, Indiana presented Kylee Pindell and her mother, Lisa, with a grant from HIKE. This was done as a part of the Bethel’s Installation of Officers. Taylor Condre, Honored Queen protem presided to open the Bethel. The Hike Coordinator, Anna Burton, was escorted to the East and introduced Taylor and welcomed everyone to the ceremony. Anna then turned the ceremony over to Taylor. The recipient and her mother were escorted to the east line. Taylor presented the check and asked if the Kylee and Lisa had any remarks. Lisa Pindell said a simple thank you so much. Kylee and her mother were escorted to their seats. The Hike Coordinator closed with a poem and was escorted to her seat.

Lisa Pindell had told me how she discovered HIKE. She was at the Hendricks County Kids Festival and stopped at a Bethel’s promotion booth. There were two Bethels with booths at the festival so she was not sure which Bethel she spoke with. She filled out the application and was surprised when she received the letter informing her of the award. It came at a great time. One of Kylee’s hearing aids had broken around the time they applied to HIKE. Kylee was excited to be getting new hearing devices as hers were about 8 years old.

“Smiles are windows of the heart,

If your heart if filled with sunshine you’ll be happy all the while,

And your joy will be reflected in a bright and friendly smile.

You just can’t keep gladness hidden that’s impossible to do.

For smiles are windows of the heart that lets it filter through!”

-Author Unknown-

Caitlin Hawkins and her family were presented with a HIKE grant on Saturday, October 24, 2015 in Chesapeake, VA. Bethel #37 hosted the award during a reception following their Grand Visitation. Caitlin also received a gift card to Barnes & Noble Bookstore.

On Thursday, October 22, 2015, Dr. Sharon Macner of Champlain Valley Audiology in Plattsburgh, NY fit Taylor Allen for her hearing aids, purchased with a grant awarded by the HIKE Fund, Inc. (and funded in part by the family’s church). The whole family was present to support Taylor as she starts her journey to better hearing.

Congratulations, Taylor, and many thanks to Champlain Valley Audiology for their advocacy and assistance to the Allen Family. It was an exciting and happy day for everyone!

Illinois Job’s Daughters made a HIKE presentation to a young man who no one knew was deaf until he was 5 years old. Today, Devante is a successful college student and athlete who will use the HIKE grant for a new communication device to advance his studies. Special thanks to Bethel #55 for hosting and Bethel #65, Columbia, for attending the presentation.