THE HISTORY OF THE HIKE

The Hike has been going on since October 1973. It is Texas' oldest Pro Life event. Its
mission is to raise funds for crisis pregnancy centers in the areas where the Hikes are held, and seeks to raise awareness that these Crisis Centers need our support both financially and prayerfully.Back in the 70's it was a Knights of Columbus Council event having been started by a group of Knights in Garland who were tired of hearing all the positive attention that legalized abortion was getting in the media. They decided to have a mass rally to show that abortion was not the correct "choice" and that there were loving options for moms who found themselves in "Crisis Pregnancy". Headed up by Chuck Schumacher, Ed Hubbuch, and several other dedicated Knights, the Hike for Life became "the" Pro Life event" in the Dallas area. It has continued each year since 1973 and is now known as "Texas' oldest Pro Life event".In 1985 Hike for Life, Inc. was formed. This non-profit organization was given control over the Hike so that anyone donating to the Hike could use it as a tax deduction, and so that people who were not Knights could assist in the running of it.

The original Hike was a single event site in Garland. After a few years the Hike was moved to White Rock Lake in Dallas. It was moved back to Garland in the mid '90's and the "original site" is now located at Audubon Park.

In 2002 Tom Clark became President of Hike for Life and continues to serve in that capacity today.

In 2003 a new Board of Directors was formed to come up with new ideas and a fresh approach to appeal to a new set of Hikers. Bike Marshals were added to give Hikers quick access to assistance if problems were to arise, additional sponsors were sought after to help “grow the Hike”, and Hikers were treated to a new t-shirt design each year.

Since 2003 several Hikes have been added around the Dallas area with Hikes now in Garland, Waxahachie, McKinney, Irving, Plano, Richardson, Rowlett, and the return to White Rock Lake in 2009.

Also in 2009 the Hike branched outside of the Dallas Diocese for the first time with a Hike in College Station, Texas. This was a trial Hike to see if it could be replicated and to see what issues would arise. The College Station Hike, although small in numbers, gained $2,000 for the Good Samaritan Crisis Center. Plans continue to be formulated for additional Hikes in College Station.

In early 2010 another first was realized for the Hike as we branched into the Fort Worth Diocese with a Hike in Weatherford. In January of 2010 the Weatherford Hike took place netting $7,000 for Grace House Ministries, a Crisis Center in Weatherford. Also in October 2010 we hosted a Hike in Denton with those funds going to assist the Loreto House.

The 2010 Hike year had yet another first with a Hike in Oak Cliff. Our first Spanish Speaking Hike Site to help us reach out to the Hispanic Pro Life community.

2011 gave us the Brownsville Hike. This Hike in the valley is indeed special because proceeds from this Hike go to build up a brand new Catholic Pregnancy Resource Center. This center promises to bring hope and a Culture of Life to an area of Texas that has felt the pains of the Culture of Death for much too long.

In 2012 the first Asian Community Hike was held at Bachman Lake in Dallas. This was a huge success with well over 200 Hikers in attendance.

2013 will host the first Hike for Life in Bastrop, TX near Austin. We look forward to helping Crisis Centers in that area to preserve their Life Saving Ministry!

Money collected as a result of the various Hikes will go to serve the area Crisis Pregnancy Center(s) where the Hike is held. All of the Dallas area Hikes will assist at least the following Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPC): White Rose, Birth Choice, Hope (McKinney). If you are a Director of a CPC in Texas needing assistance please contact hikeforlifetexas@gmail.com to discuss the possibilities of the Hike assisting you, or forming a Hike for Life in your area.

As with many fundraisers the Hike has seen its ups and downs. In 1999 the funds raised by the Hike were less than $4000, a far cry from the $30,000 days in the mid ‘80’s. The Hike held in 2009 brought in over $80,000. This is mostly due to an increase in Knights involvement, and new marketing strategies.

A group of Knights in Colorado might cause this little local Hike to become a National Hike. They are interested in having a Hike for Life in their area to help a local crisis center. This is just what we are all about: people who care about life, and wish to lend a hand to see that life gets a chance. I’ll keep you posted on our progress with growing the Hike beyond Texas.

As the Hike moves further into the new millennium the need for the Hike has increased. Too many people feel that abortion is okay; after all if you have been born since 1973 it has always been the law of the land. By providing monetary and prayerful resources, and increased awareness, the Hike is able to help Crisis Pregnancy Centers do their job a little better!

You can help bring innocent lives into this world of ours… please pray for the success of the Hike and it’s benefactors. Please consider volunteering your time and come to the Hike… please bring a friend.

Together we can make a difference, together we can touch and save many lives! Please be a part of the Hike for Life in your community. If there isn’t a Hike near you, and you feel the Holy Spirit is calling you to change this, please contact me and we can discuss the possibilities of bringing the Hike for Life to your part of the world.
God’s blessing,

Tom Clark
President of the Board
Hike for Life
hikeforlifetexas@gmail.com