By Chloe Fuller, Milan Lay, and Heidi Ramirez
On November 9, communities across four cities united to take over 10 million steps for youth in foster care in need of forever families. With over $80,000 raised, Hike With Your Heart 2024 proved once again that together, we can make a life-changing difference.
What is Hike With Your Heart?
Hike With Your Heart began in 2015 as a fun way to bring the Los Angeles community together to connect with local kids in foster care while taking a leisurely hike. Each year, the event has grown, and in 2024 Hike With Your Heart took place in four locations: Los Angeles, the Bay Area, Houston, and Washington, DC. Over 600 people came together to support older kids in foster care and help them get one step closer to finding their forever families.
Los Angeles
At Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area, participants enjoyed perfect weather and perfect company. Over 300 participants joined–more than ever before–raising, over $30,500 for Kidsave’s programs. The event brought together 23 kids in our LA Weekend Miracles program, families interested in adopting, families formed through Kidsave, friends and supporters, and even some furry companions sporting their new Kidsave bandanas.
The sunny day set the tone for the event as participants embarked on their 2.5-mile hike. At the midway point, the group reached the peak of the trail, where expansive views of Los Angeles provided a stunning backdrop for a group photo.
There were several special guests at the hike in LA, including former Kidsave kid, Ash. Ash attended the hike with their adoptive family who they met through the LA Weekend Miracles program. Seeing Ash’s joy and the love radiating from this newly formed family reminded us why we hike: to bring joy, hope, and lasting connections to kids in need.
Bringing a touch of star power to the day was Amanda Kloots, actress, TV personality, and avid children’s advocate. Amanda and her son were all smiles as they joined the hike and spent time with Kidsave kids and families.
We were also honored to have six women from Ukraine join us. Thanks to the Open World program, the delegation traveled to the U.S. for two weeks to see our domestic programs in action.
The group included Iryna Ponomarova, Nataliia Kravchuk, Olena Shulha, Tetiana Koval, Tetiana Skrypka, and Tetiana Turchenko. These women represent child welfare experts, members of the Ukrainian Parliament, and leaders of Kidsave’s programs in Ukraine. We were thrilled to have them join us and experience the beautiful LA hike.
After conquering the trails, participants returned to the park's fields for a well-deserved, catered lunch with dessert donated by Nothing Bundt Cakes! Conversations and connections continued over the picnic lunch, sweet treats, and outdoor games.
The Bay Area
Families and supporters gathered at beautiful Los Gatos Creek Trail to hike 3.5 miles together, raising over $16,000 and strengthening ties to Kidsave’s mission. Many Summer Miracles kids have been hosted in the Bay Area over the years, and recently, a strong community of Kidsave Ukraine supporters has formed there.
Kidsave board members Tania Cheater and Liz King served as co-chairs of the Bay Area hike committee. Tania and Liz worked hard to bring these communities together for this special event.
“We were thrilled at both the turnout and the generous contributions from our sponsors, our donors, and our hikers!” said Liz. “We exceeded our goals and brought more awareness and support for Kidsave's mission and the kids we serve.”
“It was so nice to see people coming out to support the mission of connecting older kids with families,” Tania said. “It’s all about building community, and we look forward to an even bigger turnout next year!”
Houston
This year, for the first time, Hike With Your Heart hit Houston! Over 100 participants met at Rob Fleming Park in Spring, Texas and embarked on a 1-mile hike together. As they walked, participants engaged with 20 kids in our Houston Weekend Miracles program and connected with Kidsave volunteers and staff.
Ashlee Evans, program manager of Weekend Miracles Houston, commented, “Watching the kids laugh, play, and connect with families and everyone around them was so heartwarming. It’s moments like these that make everything we do worth it.”
Every time we introduce the community to our amazing kids, meaningful connections are formed that can lead to a child finding their forever family.
In its inaugural year, the Houston hike successfully raised over $29,000!
Washington, DC
Seventy-seven participants, including Kidsave board members and staff, dedicated volunteers, and families formed through Kidsave, gathered at Theodore Roosevelt Island. At this popular hiking spot for locals to enjoy nature just outside of downtown, the hikers met at the memorial statue for a group photo.
The 1.5-mile hike took participants on a leisurely walk around the scenic island. Kidsave alumnus Alex Shapiro attended the DC hike. Alex met his forever family through Kidsave’s Summer Miracles program in 2007. Back then, he was a shy kid from Colombia. Today, with help from the love and support of his adoptive family, Alex is an outgoing, successful young man with his doctorate degree in physical therapy.
After finishing the hike, everyone met back at the island’s entrance for a picnic lunch provided by a Kidsave staff member. The group continued to mingle and enjoy being part of the Kidsave community.
The DC hike successfully raised over $6,000 for Kidsave’s programs!
Making a Difference
We are so grateful to everyone who participated in and supported Hike With Your Heart 2024. Thanks to your generosity, we are able to continue helping older kids in foster care find the loving, supportive families they deserve. The success of this year’s event wouldn’t have been possible without each and every one of you.
Make a gift today and consider joining next year’s Hike With Your Heart!
