Charity
The Lonon Foundation Announces 5th Annual Hike for Mike Fundraiser
The Lonon Foundation, a Charleston nonprofit that provides resources to children affected by their parent or caregiver’s cancer, today announced their annual fundraising event, Hike for Mike. In honor of Michael Lonon, father, husband, friend and nature enthusiast, the Hike for Mike promotes his passion for nature, hiking and the beautiful Lowcountry that he called home.
The fifth annual Hike for Mike will take place virtually on Sunday, October 17th, and will feature a variety of activities for attendees including virtual yoga classes, printable mindfulness materials, hiking activity guides, and an online auction. Additionally, a Hike for Mike Facebook Group will provide attendees exclusive access to the day’s many offerings.
“We have pivoted to a virtual Hike for the second year out of an abundance of caution, especially for our UPLIFT families, who, as immunocompromised individuals, are at a greater risk,” said Anna Lonon, founder of The Lonon Foundation. “The great part is the Hike is still going to be an amazing day focused on family and time in the outdoors and people can participate wherever they are. Most importantly, the Hike plays a critical role in allowing our organization to continue the work we do to support the children and families we serve.”
The organization will host a virtual kick off session to start the day. In addition to their virtual hike, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a virtual yoga class. Along with mitigating the risks that COVID still poses in the Charleston area, the virtual format offers attendees the opportunity to participate from wherever they are, allowing them the flexibility to choose who they hike with and where they hike.
The event will also feature an online auction, with items including a family portrait sitting and fine art piece from Sander’s Portraits; a month of unlimited classes from Barre3; Stingrays tickets and fan tunnel experience; The Alley bowling certificates; four experiences with Casual Crabbing with Tia; art; gift cards; and more. The auction will open Sunday, October 10 at noon and bidding will close at the end of the Hike for Mike on Sunday, October 17th at 4 pm. View or participate in the auction at www.biddingowl.com/
Over the last five years, the Lonon Foundation has served families from across the Lowcountry in various stages of their cancer diagnosis and treatment; they have grown by 70% in the past two years alone. All proceeds from the event will support these families, and go towards the organization’s needs-based grant program as well as their UPLIFT program.
The needs-based grant program was started during the pandemic to alleviate the added strain COVID-19 placed on families – mentally, socially, spiritually, physically, and financially. Since starting the grant program, several thousands of dollars have been granted to multiple families in need. Grant funds help families with food, hygiene products, medication, medical supplies, and other everyday needs, and the organization will continue to build this program during the ongoing pandemic. The Lonon Foundation’s UPLIFT program is a free monthly program for children ages 5-17 who have a parent or caregiver with cancer. UPLIFT monthly sessions are being delivered virtually this fall.
Tickets for the Hike for Mike are $30. To participate in the Hike or make a donation, visit secure.givelively.org/event/
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