It’s that time of year again, when Friendship Circle International begins to gear up for their annual Hike the Grand Canyon Trip benefitting children and young adults with special needs.
Now in its 5th year, Hike 4 Friendship is a known event. People of all ages, stages, and walks of life choose to join the team and hike for a selfless cause.
“The Grand Canyon is completely off the grid and disconnected from the world. It’s where I get to experience G-d’s wonders and natural beauty,” said Pinny Lew, a graphic designer by trade, who has led many annual Hike 4 Friendship trips. “It is in this type of environment that I experience inner peace and tranquility.”
This year’s trip will take place on June 4th -7th. Hikers from around the country will enjoy beautiful weather, the warmth of comradeship, bonding, camp fires, and a true wilderness experience.
Participants will traverse the canyon’s winding trails by day and return each night to camp on the canyon’s rim. The fundraising minimum includes the flight, sleeping accommodations and food, with discounts available to those who recruit others to the team.
The Grand Canyon is known throughout the world for its awe-inspiring size, colorful landscapes, air quality and 100-mile visibility. It’s a sight that those who have descended into its steep and rocky trails say is a wonder that one must see to believe. The annual Hike 4 Friendship group is among an estimated five million tourists that visit the world famous landmark yearly. But most never descend into the canyon and only behold its awesome views from the parking lot on its South Rim. Hike 4 Friendship gives its hikers the opportunity to witness the Canyon’s greatness from a more intimate perspective, where cell phones are traded in for solitude. The sounds of silence provide participants with the opportunity to truly internalize the trip’s mission, #SoulPurpose.
The Friendship Circle, started in 1994 in West Bloomfield, MI, has grown to 82 branches worldwide, assisting children with disabilities and their families, and addressing their often overlooked needs.
“As Jews, our mission is to infuse G-dliness in every aspect of our day to day life,” said Mendel Groner, Friendship Circle’s Director of Special Projects. “Here, people have the chance to combine a personal passion with an altruistic and G-dly goal — raising money and spreading the message of Friendship Circle.”
“Hike Trip preparations and recruiting are well under way for this year’s trip,” says Binie Harlig, Team Friendship’s Communications Director, “extra efforts are being made to attract from a wider demographic including FC affiliated parents, volunteers, directors, friends and others drawn to Hike 4 Friendship’s winning combination. Some will hear about the trip through a friend, ad or article and join in when they hear about the opportunity to hike the Grand Canyon for such an incredible cause.”
For more information and to register for this trip, visit hike.teamfriendship.org or email binie@friendshipcircle.com.
