Take A Hike For Humanity

Take a Hike for Humanity was created by Ron Dyer in the spring of 1996 as his project for the Self Expression and Leadership Program he was taking at Landmark Education. The hike-a-thon was held at Mt. Monadnock in Jaffrey, New Hampshire, Saturday, May 18, to benefit Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity (GNHFH). A hike was chosen since it is a fun activity that is enjoyed by many, and it was held at the most hiked mountain in the world, where many spectacular views can be found. With virtually no publicity, there were 12 registered hikers - ten for GNHFH and two for Monadnock HFH - and over $1700 in pledges were collected, with a net of about $1250.

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Greater Nashua and Monadnock Habitat for Humanity affiliates worked together to produce "Take a Hike for Humanity" in 1997. Millipore Corporation became the first corporate sponsor of the event. The hike was held on Saturday, May 17, and 75 hikers registered for the event. We held our first raffle at the registration site. Total contributions (cash, gift certificates, and services) to the event exceeded $14,000, with a net of just over $10,000.

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Hikers rest after trekking to top of Mt. Monadnock.

In 1998, the event became regional. Granite Bank was the major corporate sponsor for the event, and the following Habitat for Humanity affiliates participated: Greater Nashua, Monadnock, and Northern Worcester County. The hike was held on Saturday, May 16, and over 140 hikers registered for the event. This was the first year where team registrations were available, and the Oracle Trekkers were the top fundraisers with $2200. We held our first silent auction at the registration site. Total contributions (cash, gift certificates, and services) to the event exceeded $18,000, with a net of well over $15,000.

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Town of Jaffrey declares May 15, 1999 to be Habitat for Humanity day.

In 1999, we had our first opening ceremony with special guest Millard Fuller, founder of Habitat for Humanity. Park ranger Michael Walsh was presented a plaque (on his birthday!) for his ongoing support of the event. The Town of Jaffrey, New Hampshire declared May 15, 1999 to be Habitat for Humanity day. More than 20 Oracle employees participated in the hike, and the Oracle Corporation donated over $3,000 in matching funds. Six Habitat for Humanity affiliates participated: Greater Nashua, Monadnock, North Central Massachusetts (formerly Northern Worcester County), North Shore, Greater Lowell, and Cape Ann. Besides the hike-a-thon, a silent auction and raffle were held for people to support the event. Total contributions (cash, gift certificates, and services) to the event exceeded $30,000, with a net of over $25,000.

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Congressman Charlie Bass speaks at opening ceremonies.

In 2000, the hike-a-thon was expanded to both Saturday and Sunday in order to accommodate more participants.  Comverse Network Systems was the major corporate sponsor for the event. Opening ceremonies were held Saturday morning with guest speakers Congressman Charles Bass and Laura MacNeil, Habitat for Humanity Northeast. Six Habitat for Humanity affiliates participated: Greater Nashua, Monadnock, North Central Massachusetts, North Shore, Greater Lowell, and Cape Ann. Besides the hike-a-thon, a silent auction was held for people to support the event. For the first time, the number of registered hikers exceeded 200. Total contributions (cash, gift certificates, and services) to the event exceeded $35,000, with a net of over $28,000.

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Monadnock State Park staff are recognized for their ongoing support of Take a Hike for Humanity.

In 2001, the number of participating affiliates grew to ten, and the number of registered hikers nearly doubled to more than 400 total. Windmill International, Inc. and BFI Waste Services of Massachusetts, LLC were the corporate sponsors for the event and were each presented a plaque. A plaque was also presented to Monadnock State Park for the ongoing support provide by its rangers and administrative staff. The following Habitat for Humanity affiliates participated: Greater Nashua, Monadnock, North Central Massachusetts, North Shore, Greater Lowell, Cape Ann, Greater Lawrence, Greater Manchester, Greater Worcester, and Greater Seacoast. Besides the hike-a-thon, a silent auction was held for people to support the event. Total contributions (cash, gift certificates, and services) to the event exceeded $45,000, with a net of over $38,000.

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L.L. Bean manager receives certificate for store's continuous support since 1997.

In 2002, we had an unexpected first: it snowed on Saturday! This greatly reduced the number of hikers on that day, but it totally eliminated the black flies. Despite this challenge, more than 350 hikers registered for the event. Merrill Lynch was the major corporate sponsor for the event, and Shaw’s Supermarkets was also a corporate sponsor and was presented a plaque. A framed certificate was presented to the L. L. Bean Nashua Factory Store to recognize their continuous support since 1997. Nine Habitat for Humanity affiliates participated: Greater Nashua, Monadnock, North Central Massachusetts, Greater Lowell, Greater Lawrence, Greater Manchester, Greater Worcester, Greater Seacoast, and Pioneer Valley. The North Shore and Cape Ann affiliates left the event since the distance to Mt. Monadnock was too far for them to overcome, and Pioneer Valley joined the event Besides the hike-a-thon, a silent auction was held both days for people to support the event. Total contributions (cash, gift certificates, and services) to the event exceeded $56,000, with a net of over $47,000.

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T-Shirt Depot owners receive certificate for continuous support from year one.

In 2003, the event was expanded beyond Mt. Monadnock to two new sites: Pawtuckaway State Park in Raymond, NH, and Blue Hills Reserve in Milton, MA. This allowed more affiliates to participate over a larger geographic area. All three sites were well liked by hikers and organizers. More than 400 hikers registered for the event. Massachusetts Electric, a National Grid company, was the corporate sponsor for the event and was presented a plaque. A framed certificate was presented to the T-shirt Depot to recognize their continuous support from year one of the event. They have always provided quality shirts at the lowest prices and designed the original logo for the event. Fifteen Habitat for Humanity affiliates participated at the following sites: Mt. Monadnock: Greater Nashua, Monadnock, North Central Massachusetts, Greater Lowell, Greater Worcester, and Pioneer Valley; Pawtuckaway State Park: Greater Seacoast, Greater Manchester, NH Capital Region; and Cape Ann; and Blue Hills Reserve: MetroWest, Buzzards Bay Area, North Shore, Greater Plymouth, and Old Colony. Guest speaker Susan Dunn-Lisuzzo from Habitat for Humanity Northeast wrote an article about the event for Habichat, the staff newsletter. Besides the hike-a-thon, a silent auction was held both days for people to support the event. Total contributions (cash, gift certificates, and services) to the event were nearly $55,000, with a net of over $40,000.

Peter Dalton speaks at Blue Hills Reserve.

Susan Dunn-Lisuzzo addresses Monadnock ceremonies.

The volunteers at Pawtuckaway State Park.

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In 2004, our first affiliate from Vermont joined the event, with the Brattleboro Area affiliate participating at Mt. Monadnock. Seven other affiliates also participated there: Greater Nashua, Monadnock, North Central Massachusetts, Greater Lowell, Greater Manchester, Greater Worcester, and Pioneer Valley. The Blue Hills Reserve had four affiliates participating: MetroWest, Buzzards Bay Area, North Shore, and Old Colony. The Greater Seacoast affiliate participated by itself at Ordione State Park. More than 450 hikers registered for the event. BJ's Wholesale Club was the major event sponsor, and Massachusetts Electric, a National Grid company, returned as an event sponsor. Both were presented a plaque during recognition ceremonies. A framed certificate was presented to Accurate Printing to recognize their ongoing support of the event. They have designed and printed the posters and fliers at a substantial discount for the event since 2000. Laura MacNeil, Habitat for Humanity Northeast, presented the Clarence Jordan Award for Pioneers in Excellence to recognize the spirit of partnership fostered by the event. Besides the hike-a-thon, a silent auction was held both days for people to support the event. Total contributions (cash, gift certificates, and services) to the event were over $63,000, with a net of over $54,500.

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For 2005, the hike-a-thon is being held on Saturday and Sunday, May 21 & 22. The hike-a-thon will be held at the two sites Mt. Monadnock State Park and the Blue Hills Reserve. Eight Habitat for Humanity affiliates will continue to participate at Mt. Monadnock: Greater Nashua, Monadnock, North Central Massachusetts, Greater Lowell, Greater Manchester, Greater Worcester, Pioneer Valley, and Brattleboro Area. The MetroWest and Old Colony affiliates will be participating at the Blue Hills Reserve, and we are also seeking new affiliates to participate there. A silent auction will be held on both days.

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