Reviewed by: Callie Puryear
Step into adventure + join the 2024 Make-A-Wish Trailblaze Challenge now
Reading time: 4 minutes
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Are you ready to start 2024 in a life-changing way—for yourself and to benefit others? With the Make-A-Wish Trailblaze Challenge, you can experience a unique endurance hike while directly impacting the lives of Alabama children battling critical illnesses. Read on to see how YOU can become a trailblazer.
The Trailblaze Challenge: what you need to know
Make-A-Wish Alabama is a local nonprofit that fulfills life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Through the Trailblaze Challenge presented by America’s Thrift Stores, you can help Make-A-Wish Alabama grant more than 175 wishes this year.
Back for its eighth year, the Trailblaze Challenge is an adventure with a purpose, created to mimic the tough journey that Make-A-Wish kids endure.
When you sign up to become a Trailblazer, you’ll train over 12 weeks to hike 26.3 miles in one day in the beautiful Talladega National Forest. Along the way, you’ll put your endurance to the test, meet your new best friends and make a difference in your community.
“It has been amazing to witness the journey that more than 1,300 people have taken since 2017. There have been incredible displays of mental fortitude, new friendships formed, physical transformations and more than 4.85 million dollars raised to grant wishes! It really is a program unlike any other.”
Valerie Cunningham-Trainer, Vice President of Advancement, Make-A-Wish Alabama
Join the 1,300 adventurers who have taken on the Trailblaze Challenge. The deadline to register is January 24, 2024, so RSVP for a mandatory, no-commitment information session today.
The ultimate adventure
This 26.3-mile scenic trek provides you with an opportunity for adventure, fitness and fun while directly impacting the lives of Alabama children fighting critical illnesses.
The Trailblaze Challenge is open to teens and adults of all ages and experience levels. The training program and the “big hike” are both fully supported, meaning everyone from novice hikers to experienced adventurers can enjoy the journey.
“One year ago, if you had told me I would go on a hike of any length I would’ve looked at you like you had lost all your senses. But I put one foot in front of the other, and you know the rest…”
Laurel Long, Trailblazer
Starting in January, hikers train and fundraise with others across the state and learn about the mission of Make-A-Wish Alabama.
This year, Make-A-Wish Alabama is setting a fundraising goal of $1.1 million. That makes it one of the top-grossing fundraising events held by a nonprofit in Alabama, and the largest Trailblaze Challenge program in the U.S.
Join the Make-A-Wish Trailblaze Challenge now
The 12-week training program starts January 27 in Birmingham + Mobile and January 28 in Huntsville. Through this program, experienced trail support team members will help you prepare to complete the 26.3-mile hike.
During the “big hike,” there are aid stations set up along the trail with food, water, medical support and everything else you may need to take on the challenge.
Two hike weekends will be held in Alabama in 2024:
- April 19-21
- May 3-5
The 2024 Trailblaze Challenge presented by America’s Thrift Stores kicks off with information sessions in Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery and Mobile throughout the month of January.
While info sessions are free and don’t lock you into any commitments, they are mandatory for anyone wanting to participate in the Trailblaze Challenge.
These sessions fill up quickly—RSVP today to reserve your spot. The deadline to register is January 24, 2024.
“It is difficult to overstate how much the Trailblaze Challenge has changed my life. It’s the first time I’ve been affirmed, encouraged and supported by people who didn’t know me, didn’t want anything from me and only wanted to see me succeed.”
Laurel Long, Trailblazer
Become a Trailblazer with Make-A-Wish Alabama today + see that you’re capable of more than you can imagine.
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