Hiking is a great team activity for The Longest Day. If you’re a hiker, you know the exhilaration of conquering a challenging climb as well as the physical and emotional effort it takes to conquer that mountain. The effort it takes for you to conquer the mountain closely mirrors the challenges people living with Alzheimer’s disease face every day.
Here are some ideas to consider for your sunrise to sunset hiking event:
- Single Mountain Event
Teams climb a favorite local mountain. Start at sunrise and round out the day at sunset to celebrate with family and friends!
- Endurance Challenge
Challenge yourself to complete an epic local hike, climb a full mountain range or to summit a favorite mountain multiple times in the same day.
- Big Collective Climb
Several teams collectively climb all the mountains in an area. Get a full list of mountains, start recruiting and invite teams to choose their peak to climb.
FUNDRAISING IDEAS
- Sell Your Shirt
- Write the name of your donor, friend, or family member affected by Alzheimer’s on your shirt. Wear that shirt on your hike so that you’re carrying everyone’s spirit with you as you go.
- Laminate a piece of paper with donor names and pin it to your back or jacket, depending on weather.
- Carry a photo of a donor’s friend or family member to the summit and pause for a photo at the top.
- Match The Hours/Miles/Elevation
Find a connection between fundraising and your climb that can work to your advantage. For example, if your hike will be 13 hours, 7.2 miles and 2,500 feet, ask for donations of $13, $72 or $250. Remind your donors that they can feel free to add as many zeroes as they’d like!
- Support A Summit
Reach out to local businesses and ask them to support your team with a donation. If a company gives $500 or more, carry a banner with their logo and pause for a team photo at the summit.
- Host A Fundraiser
Before your event, host a BBQ, silent auction, benefit, concert, or sports tournament. Ask for a donation at the door and/or sell raffle tickets for gift certificates and prizes from local companies.
- Social Media
Regularly share your fundraising progress on social media. Post photos and use hashtags #TheLongestDay and #ENDALZ! Drive everyone to your page to make a donation and thank your donors publicly with special shout-outs.
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ABOUT THE LONGEST DAY
The Longest Day is a team event to raise funds and awareness for the Alzheimer’s Association®. Held annually on the summer solstice, the duration of this sunrise-to-sunset event symbolizes the challenging journey of those living with the disease and their caregivers. Teams are encouraged to create their own experience as they fundraise and participate in an activity they love to honor someone facing the disease.
Alzheimer's Association Southeastern Virginia Chapter 