Hike for Discovery

My Expenses

 

Success comes with a price...

You have to spend money to make money...

I decided to wrap up everything by adding up my expenses.  I knew I was spending some cash along the way, but I was surprised to see how it all added up.  Since you were such an integral part of my success, I thought I would share my costs with you.

Postage
$150.00

Printing/Copies/Paper/Labels
(for letter writing campaign, raffle publicity and tickets)
$148.85

Raffle #1
Prizes for winner:
$37.50 out of pocket
$95.00 (value of personal donations of a Longaberger basket combo and a gift card)
Prizes for volunteers who sold tickets for me:
$45.00 out of pocket

Raffle #2
Nothing came out of my personal expenses for this event.  All of the OSU items in the raffle were donated by Dad.

Silent Auction
I donated many items I already had to this group fundraiser, where profits were split between all team members.  The values are as follows:
OSU insulated tote bag 10.00
chrome wall shelf 10.00
picture frame 10.00
New Balance tote bag 20.00
Magic Mountain gift card 10.00
Longaberger magazine basket/organizer/liner 50.00
Longaberger Bell Basket w/wrought iron stand 65.00
Longaberger Founder's Market basket combo 275.00
Total:  $450.00

Miscellaneous:
Pictures of me included in 2nd mailing 11.67
Thank You cards 11.38
Blog for 5 months 24.75
Business cards 42.65
Post Cards (thank yous) 28.61

My personal monetary donation:
I decided to donate the pay I earned from playing in a pit orchestra at Watkins HS.
$150.00

Clothing Consignments
I took at least 30 articles of my own clothing or jewelry to 3 Belles as part of my supplemental fundraiser, in which people could give me their consignments to take in and donate the profits.  I really didn't keep track of the values of the clothing or jewelry.

I also spent gas money on trips around to businesses for various fundraising purposes.

My hike also required specific gear to be purchased!  I don't think I even want to add up those purchases! 

The total cash out of pocket for my fundraising expenses was 500.41.
The values of the items I donated was 450.00.
My monetary donation toward my fundraising goal was 150.00.

Some "critics" of my efforts have commented that I got a "free" trip to the Grand Canyon by participating in this program.  I worked VERY hard at raising $4400 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  I was not given a budget to work with for fundraising.  So I hope everyone can see that it really wasn't a "free" vacation.

Again, I can't thank you enough for your donations.  I couldn't have done it without you! 

$4400

I achieved my fundraising goal today!!!!!

Thank you!

www.active.com/donate/hfdcoh/kathy

Still taking donations through June 19.  I plan to share my donations in excess of my goal with other team members who have yet to reach their goals.  It's not too late for YOU to help out the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society!

Grand Canyon trip - part 3 - The Hike!

The day had finally arrived... our Grand Canyon hike!  We met our trail guides at breakfast and we all got on the bus back to the canyon.

We started on the trailhead at 5:40 a.m.  The early start was necessary so we could take advantage of the cooler morning hours.

My group consisted of Larry, Brett and me from the Central Ohio Chapter, and hikers from the Minnesota, Massachusetts, and Mid America (Kansas) chapters of LLS.

I think it was in the 70s when our hike began.  The temperature in the canyon is always hotter than it is on the rim.  It was 100 where we stopped for lunch before beginning the trip back up to the rim.  The hike down was nice... we stopped many times to take pictures during the first mile and a half.  This was a well-traveled trail, so water was available at the 1.5, 3, and 4.5 mile rest stops.  Outhouses were at 1.5 and 4.5.  We picked up the pace from the last couple miles of the hike down to assure that we could be ready to turn around before it got too hot for the ascent.

Our lunch spot was beautiful.  The area was called Indian Gardens.  It's full of tall trees and there's a stream.  We found rocks to sit on in the shade.  The area also had many cacti.  We saw some on the way down, too, but this area had so many it looked like flower beds.

It took us 3 or 3 1/2 hours to get to our turnaround/lunch spot.  The hike back up took much longer, as expected.  It was hotter and more demanding climbing up.  We took frequent rest breaks wherever we could manage to find a little bit of shade. 

A couple of hikers in my group had some trouble with the heat and maybe even the altitude. Brett and I found this out with 3 miles to reach the rim.  Our other guide and most of the group was ahead of us.  We hung back to make sure she was going to be able to hike out on her own two feet.  Larry was waiting at the 1.5 mile stop.  At that point, he waited for the straggling hikers and their guide.  Brett and I did the last of the trek by ourselves, still stopping frequently for snacks, water, and shade.

By the team all of our group made it to the top, it was 3:15 p.m.  It was a long day of hiking, but it was great!  I was so proud of my own accomplishment.  I had envisioned myself being the one who would be the last one up and struggling, but I wasn't! 

We went to the lounge at Bright Angel Lodge for a beer with our hike leaders, then bought some souvenirs, and then we went to the El Tovar Hotel for another beer before we got back on the bus and got ready for the Celebration dinner.

It was an early bedtime that night!  In the morning, we got back on the buses and headed to the Phoenix airport.  After a 4 hour bus ride, 2 hours of sitting in the airport, and 4 hours in the plane, my poor muscles were stiff and sore.  It wasn't bad, though.  I was well prepared for the test of endurance the hike proved to be.

See my photo album at the right, called "The Hike".  You might want to check this one again next week because I'll be adding photos to this one once I compare what I have to the pictures Brett took. 

Grand Canyon trip - part 2 - Sedona & GC

Sunday morning, Hike for Discovery participants from all of the chapters respresented got on one of three buses and headed from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon.

We stopped for lunch and a little sightseeing in Sedona on the way.  This area is known as red rock country.  It's a tourist resort area with lots of places to shop and eat.  The mere hour and a half we spent there wasn't nearly enough time to explore everything the area had to offer.

We hopped back on the bus and took the scenic route to the Grand Canyon.  We got off the buses at Grand Canyon National Park Visitor Center.  We walked up the sidewalk and caught our first glimpses of the canyon.  It was so amazing to finally be there and I'm glad we got to take pictures and just take it all in before we actually started hiking it!

We checked in at The Grand Hotel, just a few miles from the canyon.  That evening, we all attended the Inspiration Dinner.  All of the chapters were recognized.  The top fundraisers were also recognized.  Each chapter had a poster to pay tribute to our honored heroes - the people we were participating in this fundraising experience to honor and remember.  It was great to see Ron Mazeroski's smiling face greating me as I walked into the room.  The entire Hike for Discovery team raised $1.2 million dollars to fight blood cancers!

We enjoyed our pasta dinner buffet, and then met with our chapters to learn the times we would be headed to breakfast in the morning prior to departing for our hike.  Brett, Larry, and I were the three Ohioans doing the Bright Angel to Indian Garden.  Our breakfast time was 4:15 a.m.  We went back to our rooms and got our water and packs ready for bright and early the next morning.

See the albums called "Sedona, Arizona"  and "Grand Canyon - first look" for the photos that accompany this post.  Part 3 is coming soon.  Also stay tuned for another photo album or two.

Grand Canyon trip - part 1 - Phoenix

We flew out of Columbus on Saturday morning, May 17 on a direct flight to Phoenix.  A van driver was waiting for us to take us to our hotel in Scotsdale, a short drive from the airport.  We had the rest of the day to do whatever we wanted.

Most of the Central Ohio people walked to Marie Callendar's for lunch.  Nap time after that.  Then it was time for hanging out by the pool.  The water was nice and warm.  The sun was hot.  I think it was in the 90s in Phoenix that day.

We enjoyed complimentary cocktails and snacks by the pool, too.

Later we ate In and Out Burgers for dinner.  Then we walked to Target to buy bottled water and snacks to take on our hiking trip.

It was a pretty early bedtime for me.  We had to be on the bus to head northwest to the Canyon the next morning. 

The photo album that goes with this blog is on the right, called Phoenix hotel.

Part 2 - Sedona, coming soon.

It was great!

I have returned from the Grand Canyon!  I will sit down and compose a more detailed post soon.  It was a long day at school after returning home last night around 10.  Nap time, and then off to awards night at school.  Pictures will be posted soon. 

The trip before the trip - Washington D.C.

 Call me crazy, but the week before my big Grand Canyon hike that I have been preparing for since February, I completely blew my healthy eating and sleeping habits by attending the Washington D.C. trip with 96 8th graders from my school.  The chaperones are picture.  A good time was had by all; however, if I had known what few hours were available for sleep on the trip, I would probably have opted to just stay home.  I would have been ok about the lack of sleep,but my Grand Canyon hike was constantly on my mind.

This was my 4th D.C. trip, and the city is just as amazing as ever.  I hadn't seen the FDR Memorial or the Korean War Memorial.  These were both highlights for me.  I had my camera with me for FDR, but it was rainy and cold, so no pictures.  I forgot my camera for Korean War, so no pictures of that.  I really didn't take many pictures.  Here's a classic D.C. view for you on the left. 

I took a sick day today to catch up on sleep and pack for my Grand Canyon trip.  We fly out to Arizona tomorrow morning! 

If I have an opportunity to get on the Internet, I will post a blog or two while I'm out there.  Otherwise, stay tuned for pictures and stories about the trip when I return.

Thank you to all who donated to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in support of my Hike for Discovery.  I am collecting funds through June 19, so my online website is still available if you haven't donated yet.  www.active.com/donate/hfdcoh/kathy .

Last Group Hike

It's kind of bittersweet.  The last group of hike of traning was this morning....well, pretty much all day, actually!   Hiking and fundraising have been such a huge part of my life since February.  Still have some fundraising to do, but no more getting up bright and early on a weekend morning to meet my team members for a hike.  It's been so cool exploring new places.  Brett and I have some places we are definitely going to return to, including today's hike location.

We traveled south to Vinton County to hike a 10 mile trail in the Zaleski State Forest.  It was a good test of endurance the week before our Grand Canyon hike.  It took us 6 hours, including short breaks and a lunch break.  It was very scenic and had its share of hills, but nothing like we experienced last week at Great Seal State Park.  We stopped and ate lunch after around 6.5 miles.

I took a few pictures today... click on the album to the right to take a look.

My fundraising site shows my new total....  I'm over the $4000 mark.  I am so close to accomplishing a HUGE goal!  I'm so proud of myself!  www.active.com/donate/hfdcoh/kathy

In the News again!

Dad and I were pictured with a little write up in The Daily Jeffersonian last Tuesday.  Cindy Krause, an old friend from Cambridge, sent me the clipping in the mail.  I scanned it so you can see it.  Color picture, too!  Woo hoo!  Click the following link to see the full size image.    Download jeffersonian_picture.jpg

Today was balance due day for my fundraising.  My total money collected is $3600, so that leaves just $800 more to raise.  That $800 went on my credit card, but I still have until June 19 to continue collecting donations, and my credit card will be reimbursed.  I'm not quitting fundraising now... I CAN get to $4400!  I'm so close!  You can still donate online or you can still send a check payable to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society if you haven't yet.  www.active.com/donate/hfdcoh/kathy or email me for my mailing address at kitkat_915@yahoo.com .

Workin' the Streets

You've seen people collecting money in intersections, right?  What is your typical reaction to that?  Do you frantically start digging for spare change?  Do you pretend to be distracted by something in your car to avoid the person collecting money?  Do you make eye contact with the person and shake your head "no"?  Do you continue to carry on a conversation with the person on the other end of your cell phone?  Do you look straight ahead to avoid eye contact?

I saw all that today, and then some.  My Hike for Discovery team, along with members of Team in Training, stood in a couple of intersections in Westerville doing a "road block" to collect money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

I collected at Main St. and Cleveland Ave.  It was a yucky, rainy day and we got soaking wet.  There was a period of dry weather, but we ended up calling it quits an hour early because of a torrential downpour.  I think we may have received a lot of sympathy donations - for volunteering on a rainy day!

From the scenarios in my first paragraph, I must admit that I was a person who didn't make eye contact with people collecting in the intersection.  Oh my goodness I will ALWAYS give something to groups collecting now that I have been on the other end.  Please do the same.  I appreciated the people who put one or two coins in my bucket just as much as those who dropped in 10 and 20 dollar bills.  It all adds up.

I think my cut of my 4 hours of collecting money will be around $240.  Not bad for a day's work!  I'm getting closer and closer to my $4400 fundraising commitment.  Check out my total or make your contribution at www.active.com/donate/hfdcoh/kathy .