Hike for Hesed steps off Sept. 13

The fourth annual Hike for Hesed will take place at 9 a.m. Sept. 13 at 659 S. River St. in Aurora. The three-mile, family and dog-friendly hike will benefit the ministries of Hesed House that help the poor and homeless of the Fox Valley: Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry, Aurora Soup Kitchen and Public Action to Deliver Shelter. Live music from The Paul Avers Band, activities and a picnic lunch will follow the hike at Hesed House. This year, hikers may register online and create a sponsorship page so friends and family can easily support the cause by visiting www.events.org/hikeforhesed.

Each individual participant or team will seek sponsors to support their walk. Sponsors may include family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, corporations and more. Anyone collecting $25 or more will receive a Hike for Hesed T-shirt. Any individual or team collecting $1,000 or more will have their name engraved on a plaque for the Donors' Wall of Honor at the new facility located at 680 S. River St.

The event is made possible through the generosity of the 2008 Hike for Hesed sponsors: American Guardian, The Paul Avers Band, PetFish Promotions, Sara Lee, Triple-S-Services and U.S. Foodservice.

Registration will begin at 9 a.m. at Hesed House, at which time hikers will turn in their sponsor sheets. The walk will begin at 10 a.m., leaving Hesed House's parking lot, traveling to the Transportation Center, and returning to Hesed House.

"This event symbolizes what the organization is all about; bringing members of the community together- universities, schools, churches, businesses, families, troops, civic organizations, clubs, sports teams and more- to move the organization one step closer to ending homelessness in the Fox Valley area," notes Ryan Dowd, executive director of Hesed House. "Hike for Hesed gives anyone who wants to make a difference in the lives of the poor and homeless the opportunity to do just that."

To receive a printed Hike for Hesed participation packet, information on sponsorship opportunities or for questions, please call Tom Aguillar at Hesed House at (630) 897-2156 or visit the Web site at www.HesedHouse.org/hike.html.

Hesed House provides emergency shelter, transitional housing, social services and permanent supportive housing programs to combat homelessness. The organization also provides a food pantry and soup kitchen to aid the poor.

For information, call Hesed House at (630) 897-2165, ext. 260 or visit the Web site at www.HesedHouse.org.