Hike for Hope – From the Rain Comes a Rainbow

Sunday, May 5th was the Family Promise Hike for Hope – and despite pouring rain and cold all day long, it was an amazing day! About 150 participants (over 20 teams) and volunteers donned their rain gear and headed to Van Neste Square in Ridgewood to Hike for Hope for Family Promise. Volunteers (including our very enthusiastic teens from the Youth Council for the Homeless) were there early to set up, deliver food and more. DJ Scott Reddin volunteered his time once again and was there to play rain-themed, yet upbeat music to get us going (“It’s Raining Men” and more!) We ate, sang, danced, did yoga – and it was quite a sight to see ALL of the participants lined up with umbrellas, rain jackets and boots, ready to hit the road for the 3-mile Hike for Hope – even in the rain! As Kate Duggan said as she made announcements, “You really know who your friends are when they come out in the pouring rain to support you”. So thank you to EVERYONE – our enthusiastic hikers, their families, friends and colleagues who generously supported their efforts, our dedicated volunteers and fantastic, loyal sponsors – for making the Hike for Hope a fun, glorious day and a great success! We made a rainbow out of the rain! Funds raised will support Family Promise’s programs serving homeless working families.

Thank you to our generous sponsors including Boiling Springs Savings Bank, Freedom Bank, PSE&G, Sharp, TD Bank and Visions Federal Credit Union. Thank you as well to the many local businesses who donated food or prizes, including Kilroy’s Market in Glen Rock; Thumann’s; Kings of Ridgewood; Ridgewood Hot Bagels; Inserra Shop Rite and Ridgewood restaurants Puzo’s Family Restaurant, The Daily Treat, The Best of Everything and Kilwins. Thank you to Maria Suarez, who led our hikers (again, in the rain!) in yoga stretches before the Hike and to our fabulous DJ Scott Reddin who had games, prizes and non-stop music. Thank you to Girl Scout Troop 95902 for providing much-appreciated homemade post-Hike treats and Troop 95867 for providing games and fun for your younger participants. Last, but not least, a big thank you to the Family Promise Youth Council for the Homeless who raised funds (several members were among our top fundraisers) volunteered all day long to help with set up and more, and enthusiastically Hiked for Hope. Fantastic job everyone!