Kidsave’s 2022 Hike with Your Heart
This past weekend, we had our annual Hike with your Heart. Since 2015, we’ve gathered at Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area in Los Angeles to enjoy a vigorous hike and fundraise for our Weekend Miracles program.
Our Weekend Miracles program aims to help older kids in foster care find meaningful, long-lasting relationships. Whether kids are looking for a mentor, host, or adoptive family, we want to help them connect with caring adults who will be in their lives for the long haul. For many kids in foster care, their life has been full of sudden changes, heartbreaking goodbyes, and starting over. This can create feelings of loneliness and abandonment, feelings we want to help eliminate.
The day of the hike, Kids, adults – and pets – of all ages met early in the morning to share a light breakfast of muffins and fruit to sustain us before embarking on our little adventure. The day was warm, and even in the early morning, people wore short sleeves and applied sunscreen as they laughed and caught up with old friends. The kids in our Weekend Miracles program, just ending their first month back at school, had plenty of fun discussing their teachers and classes.
With school in mind, we had a fun little surprise for the kids. Each one was gifted a nifty backpack for the school year. For many of these kids, access to necessary school supplies doesn’t come as easily as it does to their peers. We’re passionate about the well-being of our kids and want to help them thrive in all areas of life, so it was a pleasure to watch their faces light up as they picked out a backpack of their choice.
Soon, it was time for the Hike. We’d been told that some of the kids feared heights – something we may wish to prepare for as we walked uphill. But the kids’ curiosity overshadowed their fear. They were overcome with joy and wonder as they took in the beautiful sights, breathed the fresh air, and spoke with adults interested in building connections. When we reached the peak and took our group photo, fear was the last thing on anyone’s mind. The day was so clear we could see the ocean in the distance (something that’s not always possible in LA’s notorious smog).
As we descended, our stomachs began to grumble… time for lunch. Fortunately, we’d partnered with Jersey Mike’s Subs for the event, so delicious sandwiches awaited us back at the park.
The kids spent the rest of the day bonding with each other and potential adoptive families. After dining on sub sandwiches, they played board games or just sat on the ground and chit-chatted. As the event drew close, attendees may have been physically tired but excitedly asked about the next event.
Weekend Miracles
There are many wonderful kids in our Weekend Miracles program in need of a host or adoptive families. These older kids in foster care are growing up without the stability and love that all kids need to thrive. Please contact us if you’re interested in adopting or hosting an older kid. We’re happy to answer any questions and help you get started. Email us at weekendmiracles@kidsave.org to learn more.
