#GivingTuesday is tomorrow, May 5th.
Through a partnership and matching-fund initiative with Nonprofit Hub, Do More Good, and Firespring, we are asking for your support! This initiative raises money for nonprofits affected by the financial crisis due to COVID-19 and the cancellations of our major statewide fundraising events.
Thank you in advance for your kindness and contribution 🤟 Go online to for more information and make a donation: https://now.firespring.com/nonprofits/the-hike-fund
As of May 3, 2020, we have 88 participants in the 2020 Virtual #5KforHIKE! Can you get us to 100?? Virginia is now leading, followed by Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, and Missouri. Shout out to all states represented!!
Can we get someone from every state? Spread the word – https://runsignup.com/virtualhike5krunwalk!! Once you sign-up and complete the 5K, send us your photos!
Recently, we have felt sad that so many big HIKE events have been canceled due to the COVID19 pandemic. We look forward to these events all across our nation as days of incredible inspiration, fundraising, and celebration! It’s important to know we don’t have to lose hope or focus on the mission and purpose of The HIKE Fund. Leslie Hoglund, Director of Social Media and Website, held a zoom chat with Elizabeth Meldrum, Job’s Daughter, to talk about fundraising for The HIKE Fund and how we can overcome despite physical distancing, school and workplace closings, and canceled events. We hope it encourages and motivates you! How much will you raise?
Are you sad that your HIKE event was canceled? Want an easy way to make it up? Join our Virtual HIKE Fund 5K (run or walk) now through May 31, 2020. Registration closes on May 24, 2020, to ensure medals for all participants. Cost is $35 per person and you can designate your entry fee to a Job’s Daughter member for fundraising credit and the $1,000 HIKE Club Award!
We are about to embark on the 35th year of The HIKE Fund! Bringing the gift of hearing to many children through grants for hearing aids and other assistive hearing devices has been our joy and purpose. It is because of the tremendous support and love from the members of Job’s Daughters International, through the vision of Dad Chuck Terrill and Mom Emma Tedrick, that we are virtually there at hitting our next milestone fundraising level—$6 million!!
From now to May 31, 2020, we want you to take on a virtual 5K for HIKE! You can run or walk in a safe location in your town, where you can practice good physical distancing from others, or take a stroll on your treadmill if you have one. Sign-up online! Your $35 entry fee is a direct donation. You can designate it to an active Job’s Daughter member and make an additional donation for them as well. Each participant is asked to post or message on The HIKE Fund Facebook Page a photo of their “finish line” and/or photo of their Strava, RunKeeper, Charity Miles, MapMyRun, Garmin, or whatever-you-use-to-track-your-miles activity app—use the hashtag #5KforHIKE with your post and message!
SignUpWe know many state fundraising events were canceled due to the COVID19 pandemic, so we hope you’ll join together virtually and take a 5K HIKE with us!! When your run or walk is done, and we’ve received your photo, you will get a certificate and medal to say: GREAT JOB & THANK YOU!
Sign-up now through May 24th: https://runsignup.com/virtualhike5krunwalk. The virtual 5K ends on May 30, 2020.
We’re having a busy winter as grants make their way to recipients to purchase new hearing aids! Our incredible partnership with our amazing donors and supporters enables life-enhancing hearing improvement all over the country! It’s a pleasure to be the Job’s Daughters International® philanthropy for 34 years!
South Carolina – Courtney A. Russo, AuD, CCC-A, FAAA, Doctor of Audiology, at Greenville Ear, Nose & Throat, Prisma Health–Upstate, presented Andrew and his father, Michael, with a HIKE award for new hearing aids. Dr. Russo is a high-impact audiologist who advocates strongly for her patients.
Kansas – Karly, Daughter HIKE Coordinator, was able to make two HIKE grants happen at a recent luncheon fundraiser for The HIKE Fund! Congratulations to Angel and his father, and David and his parents!
Ohio – Desire, Grand Bethel Honored Queen, and Katherine, Miss Ohio Job’s Daughter, presented a HIKE grant to Leanna, with her parents, over a meal at Applebee’s restaurant. Grand Guardian, Kris, also attended. The girls has a great time and took some silly pictures!
Virginia – Bethel 42, Virginia Beach, had the pleasure to provide a check for a new hearing aid for Tamyia. What made this HIKE award so special was that a few years ago, Tamyia received a similar award from our Bethel. As soon as she walked into the room, her mother recognized several of the girls and suddenly it was like one big family reunion! We enjoyed celebrating with her mother and her friend. Her mom shared with us what this award means to them.
The Hearing Improvement Kids Endowment (HIKE) Fund, Inc. was founded in 1985 by Emma Tedrick (OH) and Chuck Terrill (MI). A fund founded on the notion of “kids helping kids,” where the monies donated would help to provide children the needed supports to improve their ability to hear. The first philanthropic committee for the HIKE Fund, Inc. in 1985 included Eileen Orton (OR), Gwen Byer (VA), and Norman Sehn (AB). It was made official at Supreme Session in 1986 that The HIKE Fund, Inc. would be the official charity of Job’s Daughters International.
In the first year of HIKE, a total of $15,646 was raised. As we closed out the last Supreme Year, our collective total raised was $5,752,680, leaving $247,320 to hit $6 million raised in 35 years. The support for The HIKE Fund has ebbed and flowed over the years and on average, annual donations are around $200,000. We are humbled by the selfless action and dedication that so many have given in time and effort to secure donations–especially the Job’s Daughters.
We have a big, audacious goal. We want to hit $6 million. That means we need to raise $247,320 by June 30, 2020. Will you help us? Would you rally with your Bethel and raise funds to give the gift of hearing? Maybe hold a coin march or two at an upcoming Grand Visitation or Installation? Host a fundraiser night at a local restaurant? Coordinate a HIKE weekend where everyone brings in all of their donations?
Below are the year-to-date donations. You’ll notice a column on the far right that shows jurisdictional goals. These are based on previous years’ donations and what we believe you are capable of raising. (The GGC of DelMar has already hit their goal!) What a celebration it will be when we hit $6 million – and even sweeter if it coincided with the 100th Anniversary – Centennial Session of Job’s Daughters International!!
As of January 4, 2020, we are $176,939 away from our goal. HIKE is so proud of your support and we are grateful for believing in the life-changing work we get to do. Let’s go!
“…that every child with joy may hear…” – Blake
‘Tis the season of thanksgiving, appreciation, acknowledgement and gratitude. And turkey. On behalf of the HIKE Fund, Inc. Board of Directors, thank you forever for your incredible support of children and their families as we give the gift of hearing together. The growing support of members and adult volunteers from Job’s Daughters International is something we don’t take for granted. We appreciate you so much!
Giving Tuesday is next week, December 3, 2019! This is an annual day designated for donations to nonprofit organizations. We want to raise $3,400 by the end of the year. Keep in mind that all donations to The HIKE Fund, Inc. are considered charitable and can be deducted from your taxes.
Recently, Bethel #15 of Fremont, Nebraska held a Give Thanks for Hearing Dinner on November 9, 2019. They raised $3,366 – enough for one grant award – and were featured on their local news media. The event was started in 2010 by Jazmine Jirsak, who was then the Daughter HIKE Coordinator, wanted to do an event to raise money. In the first year, the Bethel had good success (raising around $800) and that the community was supportive. At the dinner, the members talk about The HIKE Fund and at times, former HIKE recipients have attended to share their experience of how HIKE has changed their lives for the better. The fundraiser continues to grow annually and the Bethel says two key elements have led to their success: 1) one or two older members who organize and lead the event, and 2) early planning. This allows primary points of contact and to promote the event well ahead of time. Each member is encouraged to sell tickets and collect donations for the silent auction. Council members cook the meal and supervise the dinner. Next year, in 2020, will be the 10th year of the Give Thanks for Hearing Dinner and they are planning to make this one even bigger and better, including having to find a larger location to fit more people.
When we asked Hannah and Meghann, the two organizers for this year’s dinner, what they love about supporting The HIKE Fund, they shared,
Hannah: I love supporting the HIKE Fund because it feels so good to be supporting a population of kids that others may not think about. Every child deserves the gift of hearing and I love that Job’s Daughters recognizes that need and puts so much effort into supporting these children.
Meghann: I love supporting HIKE for several reasons. One of the biggest reasons is that it is eye opening. It is not often that people get the chance to take a step back and see how blessed they are. Helping children receive the gift of hearing is my chance to take a step back and be thankful for my ability to hear. It then encourages me to want to help even more!
In Joliet, IL on November 18, 2019, Joshua and his parents attended a regular meeting of Bethel #48, where they were presented a grant award by Brylie, Honorary State Honored Queen, as well as an application for DeMolay International! They were extremely grateful and hope to get involved with DeMolay as a way to give back for what they’ve received.
We are beyond grateful for the love and support that everyone carries with them in support of The HIKE Fund. Seeing the impact of a grant in the life of the child is inspiring and empowering!
With love from the The HIKE Fund, thank you. Have a restful and happy Thanksgiving! See you on #GivingTuesday!
Recently, the HIKE Fund granted the gift of hearing to 8 year old Lyla, from Muskegon.
On October 5, 2019, Michigan Job’s Daughters hosted a HIKE fundraising event, where they excitedly welcomed Lyla and her family to the Red Flannel Festival in Cedar Springs, the home of our Grand Bethel Honored Queen, Makeelie.
MaKeelie presented Lyla with a check for $4,500 to cover the cost of hearing aids. During the event, they also participated in a parade and MaKeelie thought it would be super fun to make Lyla the HIKE Princess for the day! Lyla received a sash and a crown and rode in a 1969 Camaro convertible (thanks to MaKeelie’s grandpa!) so that Lyla could ride in style!
It was a beautiful day, in ALL senses of the word!
Samantha Andersen, Youth HIKE Coordinator for Wisconsin, and Mom Sheryl Bertram, Grand Guardian for Wisconsin Job’s Daughters, had the pleasure of presenting a check to a young man named John on October 3, 2019 . It was wonderful to meet John and his family along with his audiologist, Beth.
John was recently diagnosed with congenital hearing loss and needed hearing aids. John’s audiologist Beth and his mother Lauren applied for a grant to financially assist them in getting John hearing aids.
His mother Lauren said, “Words cannot even begin to express how full my heart is. Thank you for your efforts as well as those of all Job’s Daughters. You assisted in improving the quality of life for my son. WE are forever grateful.”
