Hiking the Bruce Trail for Those in Need

Embarking on a long 'thru-hike' has been a dream of mine for a while now. Last year, I stumbled upon the Bruce Trail, a challenging 900km journey stretching from the Niagara River to the tip of Tobermory, Ontario. With the opportunity to take 40 days off during the summer, I decided it was the perfect time to turn this adventure into a meaningful cause.

I want to hike for a purpose this May, to raise money for those who struggle to find a consistent roof over their heads and have difficulty putting nutritious food on their tables three times a day. The decision of where to direct these funds was easy for me.

Lionhearts Inc. is a charity organization that tirelessly collects nutritious food and miscellaneous donations from local businesses and redistributes them to our community's vulnerable populations and partner agencies. In the wake of the COVID pandemic, Lionhearts has expanded its reach significantly, taking on numerous programs in Kingston and Ottawa. Their remarkable efforts have provided shelter and employment opportunities for many at-risk individuals, surpassing the impact of similar initiatives.

As written on their website, Lionhearts' daily operations involve collecting surplus food items from businesses and farmers, sorting and organizing donations, and redistributing them to local food-providing agencies. Their work extends to operating two overnight shelters year-round, from 9 pm to 9 am, while also supporting several other local shelters. Lionhearts accepts and redistributes nearly anything donated to them. This organization, which I consider a family, has made an immense difference in our community and shows no signs of stopping.

I am excited to invite you to join me in making a difference by supporting this worthy cause. Your contribution, no matter the amount, will help us achieve something remarkable. Think of it as a walk-a-thon, even though the distance is predetermined. Each day, I am committed to hiking a minimum of 30km, camping wherever possible along the way. Since I'll be living out of my backpack for a month, I'll need to dehydrate meals and ship them to myself along the trail. I humbly ask for your support to help me meet and exceed my fundraising goal. Additionally, if you or someone you know resides near the Bruce Trail and could offer a couch to sleep on, your generosity would be greatly appreciated.

I intend to document this journey and share the memories made on this hike, especially as I pass through some of Ontario's most beautiful landscapes. Please keep in touch to hear more about this!

Thank you in advance for your contribution to this cause, which holds immense significance to me. Together, we can make a profound impact on the lives of those in need.