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ALYN's Heels of Love

February 18-20, 2020

$18,000
Money Raised
18% raised of $100000

ALYN's Heels of Love:

 

We would like to thank the 40 participants in the 2020 Heels of Love Hike. Together we raised over $107,000 for ALYN Hospital.

We are already planning the 2021 Heels of Love Hike.

We hope to open early registration soon.

Contact us to find out more. 

Participant Accounts of the 2020 Hike

From Hiking the Holyland:

Summer camp – there’s something about being plunged into a bunkhouse in a forest with a bunch of little strangers that touches you forever.

At camp, you’re united by a common purpose (that’s what camp songs are for).  You challenge yourself physically and make new friends.  And it all happens against the backdrop of nature, which helps you access something deep within your soul.

This past week, I hiked for 3 days in the desert with Heels of Love: a fundraising hike for Alyn Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital in Israel.  The depth of the experience took me completely by surprise. 

Alyn Heels of Love
More than expected.

I had expected a good hike, a physical challenge, and the satisfaction of raising money for an important cause.  But I hadn’t expected such a meaningful experience.

 

Read the full post

Our experiences on the ALYN Heels of Love Hike 2020.  I went with my daughter Shira who is a bat sherut at ALYN this year.

2 am to Jerusalem
So the big day is here! Shira and I are up and ready for a taxi to meet the group bus from Jerusalem.

 4 am to the Eilat Mountains
A 4-hour ride, with one stop on the way, to the starting point of our hike.  Forecast is for some rain around midday, so the guides have modified the hiking routes of the groups accordingly.

8 am Breakfast at the side of the road
The logistics company is waiting with a fresh breakfast – scrambled eggs, coffee, tea, bread and rolls, fruit, cut vegetables, various spreads.  From the same spread we make sandwiches and take some snacks for the day.

Everyone takes a couple of bottles of water, some fill them into their hydration packs, organizes their day packs and leaves their duffels with the logistics team to meet us at the campsite tonight.

We are on our way!

 

Transportation

Our deluxe VIP Bus will leave from the parking lot of Jerusalem’s First Station at 4:00 AM on Tuesday, February 18 for the three day hike and on Wednesday, February 19 for the two-day hike. All hikers should arrive by 3:45 AM. There is free overnight parking at the back of the lot.

For a Waze link, type First Station Park lot on Waze, or open this link on your phone.

We will leave Eilat together on February 20 after our farewell dinner. Expect to return to Jerusalem by 23:00 (11:00 PM).

 

Details

Heels of Love has two options. The 3-day hike is challenging. We cover around 16 kilometers/day with many steep ascents and descents.  There are often “ladders” — steel bars set in the rocks that we climb up or down along the trail. You should be in reasonably good shape for the 3-day hike.

The 2-day hike is more moderate for those who prefer shorter distances with less climbing. There are still hills but the grade is more gradual and the path less technical.

Our staff and guide are there to assist you. If someone is having difficulty, we will escort them out of the mountains and have our jeep pick them up as close as possible. We care deeply about safety and want everyone to have an amazing time.

After a long day’s hiking, nothing is more welcoming to the eyes than a beautiful campsite that has already been set up by our staff. Every hiker gets his or her own tent and mattress (couples can share of course.) Tents are set up around a campfire, surrounded by comfortable futons where we can sit back and relax and share adventure stories of the day’s hike.

Our hot dinners are delicious and accompanied by your choice of beverages. As we sit around the campfire, our special guests will inspire you with their stories of the miracles that happen at ALYN every day. 


The Desert at Night

The Winter is the perfect time of year for hiking in the desert. The daytime temperatures are usually around 18-25 degrees. It does get very cold at night, with temperatures moving toward the freezing point. We strongly recommend that you bring a sleeping bag designed for colder weather.

Our campsites have toilets and a place for washing hands/face and brushing teeth. We will have hot showers at the conclusion of the hike on Thursday.

With over 20 years experience guiding groups, Assaf Priel will once again be our guide for the three-day hike. Assaf spends at least 50 days/year in the Negev and has led groups from all over the world, including the US, Canada, and the UK.

He is an expert in the region, including the geo-history, flaura, and fauna of the paths we will be taking.


Elad Bar Ilan

Elad Bar Ilan, the leader of our two-day hike, is the founder of “Time Travel Israel”, an Israeli adventure touring company which allows individuals and organizations to experience Israel in a unique way.

His main goal is sharing the passion that he has towards the country and strengthen the connection between the Jewish people to Israel.

 

3-Day Hike: We are working on transportation from the Jerusalem area to the start of the hike near Eilat. We are designing the route to be about 5-6 hours, around 15-18 kilometers per day. We will have a hot breakfast and hot dinner every day and sandwiches, fruit, nuts and other fun camp things for lunch.

2-Day Hike: We start on Wednesday, February 19. While our routes will be separate than the ones taken by the three day hikers, we will join together on Wednesday night at the campsite.  

On Thursday, we will finish the hike together in Eilat. In Eilat, we will provide hot showers and a wonderful farewell dinner together before the going back to Jerusalem.

Each participant will receive:

  • 3 deluxe trekking dry-fit shirts (2 for those who chose the 2-day hike)
  • Headlamps
  • One pair hiking socks
  • Sun block
  • Transportation to Eilat from Jerusalem and back
  • Hot food for breakfast and dinner at the campsites. Lunch will be sandwiches, fruit, and snacks. All meals are certified kosher.
  • Tents and all camp needs. Camping mattress/ground cover. We will set up the tents (one per hiker) each night together.  Hikers must bring warm sleeping bags.
  • Showers and special dinner at conclusion of hike. 
  • We will be accompanied each day by a professional guide, paramedic, and ALYN staff

 

 

Essentials

  • Comfortable hiking shoes — not sneakers, running shoes, or sandals! This is one of the two most important things. Your whole hiking experience will be affected by your shoes. You will be walking around 15 km/day in your shoes, that’s 45 kilometers for the three day hikers!
  • WARM sleeping bag. While the days should be pleasant, it can be very cold in the Negev at night. Bring a sleeping bag rated to keep you warm down to freezing temperature. You do not have to carry the sleeping bag on the hike, you should put it in your duffel bag. (See below).

Day Pack: (A medium backpack that you will carry with you on the hike):

We will give you food and bottles of water. You may prefer to have a hydration bag within your pack that you fill up from the bottles and sip while walking.

  • Hat against the sun
  • Sunscreen
  • Toilet Paper (We will provide and you should put it in your pack)
  • Small Plastic Bag (for garbage, damp clothing, etc)
  • Pocket Knife (optional)
  • Light jacket against wind or rain
  • Band-aides, anti-chafing cream (we will have a paramedic, but it is useful to be have these on hand)
  • Personal Snacks (If there is a trail mix you just can’t live without!)
  • Alpine walking sticks (optional — If you use them on hikes)
  • Phone/Camera (We will have electricity to charge at the campsites)
  • Sunglasses
  • Ear Plugs. Some people snore and noises carry in the desert.
  • Lip balm. Lips can get sunburned from the dry heat and wind if not protected.

Duffel Bag (Duffel Bags are much more convenient than suitcases for the hike. It is better that you put everything you will need for the campsites in the bag, including your sleeping bag). These bags will be waiting for us at the campsites.)

  • Walking clothes for each day on the trail. We will be providing hiking shirts, but you should bring shorts/pants, extra T-shirts. If it is cold, you will want a base layer to go under the hiking shirt. 
  • Warm clothes for the evenings/sitting around the fire. (Warm jacket, hat, coat, socks, etc)
  • Comfortable footwear for after the hike
  • Blanket
  • Plastic bag for laundry
  • Swimsuit
  • Personal Toiletries (We will have access to showers only on Thursday at the La Playa Hotel)
  • Personal medicines
  • Extra batteries for flashlight, charger for phone, etc.

 

 

 

The cost of participation is a nominal registration fee and a minimum fundraising requirement or donation of $3,000 for the ALYN’s Children’s Hospital ($2,000 if you would like the 2 day option.)   All contributions are tax deductible in Israeli, American, Canadian, and UK currency.

Registration fees are as follows:

  • Regular: $300 — Register by February 10, 2020
  • Late: $400 — Register by February 16. No registration after February 16.

Minimum Fundraising for ALYN: $3,000 for 3 day hikers and $2,000 for 2 day hikers.

We ask that everyone raise the minimum required amount by February 10 (one week before the hike.) We will keep your pages open for another week so you can raise even more by telling your friends how amazing it was! We will ask you to commit to covering any fundraising gaps before the hike starts. 

Besides online donations, the American and Canadian Friends of ALYN office can accept US and Canadian checks and bank transfers and issue American tax receipts. To get in touch with them , email Maayan. We will post all these donations to your page and add the amounts to your totals.

The more you know about ALYN, the easier you will be able to raise donations. Read more about ALYN.

 

Fundraising

We know that for many of you, the thought of asking friends for money to fundraise for the hike is uncomfortable and might be uncharted territory. Don’t worry – fundraising is much easier and more rewarding than you might expect, especially when you are raising money for such an incredible cause. ALYN Hospital is such a unique and special place, that once you share with others about the hospital and the children receiving rehabilitation there, people will be willing to support you.

How do we know? We have nearly 20 years of experience and thousands of particpants who have successfully raised money for ALYN as proof.


Remember, the people who will sponsor you will do so because of your relationship with them. They are YOUR friends and YOUR family! They trust what you have to say. The more personal you can make the request, the better.

Start by personalizing your fundraising page. Send us a picture of yourself and a few sentences about why you are hiking (90 words or less.) It does not have to be long, what’s more important is that it comes from you. If you want to write a lot more — great! Write your story in an email that you send with your link. Let us know if you need any help.

Once you have your page set up the way you like it, send the link with an email to your contacts. You can post it on Facebook or other social media. Again, the more personal you can make the request, the more likely you are to receive a favorable response. We have a sample letter you can use (below). Make sure to tweak it and make it personal, so that the people you are asking know it is a genuine ask from you. Then follow these four steps:

  1. Aim high. Set an ambitious fundraising goal for yourself. The minimum you need to raise is either $2,000 or $3,000, but we hope you will aim for more. If you can hike through the mountains of Eilat, you can certainly go the extra mile for the children of ALYN. 
  2. Make a personal donation. Lead by example. To convince others to make a contribution, it helps to show that you are equally committed to the cause. Your registration fee helps pay for the hike logistics; donations are sent directly to the hospital.
  3. Ask friends and family. It’s easiest to start with those closest to you. Once you convey your excitement about participating in Heels of Love and they learn about ALYN, they will be happy to support you. Suggest an amount with which they would be comfortable.
  4. Expand your asking circle. If you think beyond closest family and friends, there are endless possibilities: neighbors, work colleagues and business associates, acquaintances from school, college, synagogue/church, the health club and your hiking club. If you work for a company with a matching gifts program, you may be able to multiply the effect of your gift. A basic rule of fundraising is that the main reason people give is because they have been asked by someone they know and trust. That someone is you!

Dear Friends,

I’m very excited to share with you that this February I will be participating in the Heels of Love charity hiking event, benefiting the children of ALYN Hospital. I will be hiking approximately 10 miles a day/6 miles a day through the mountains of Eilat and camping in the desert in the evenings.

ALYN is the only facility of its kind in Israel and is one of the world’s leading specialists in the active and intensive rehabilitation of children with congenital and acquired physical disabilities. ALYN changes lives and transforms disabilities into abilities. You can learn more about ALYN at www.alyn.org.

This year’s fundraising goal for Heels of Love is to raise $100,000, to bridge the shortfall gap between reimbursements and the actual costs of the high-level services provided to the children. My personal fundraising goal is $XXXX. Thank you, in advance, for being as generous as you can be.

There are two easy ways to donate:

1. Donate online with a credit card at (INSERT YOUR FUNDRAISING LINK)

2. You can also send a check to:

US Dollar Donations:

American Friends of ALYN Hospital
122 E. 42nd Street, Suite 1519
New York, NY  10168

The American Friends of ALYN is a qualifying 501(c)(3) organization, and your contribution is tax deductible in the US. If you work for a company with a matching gifts program, you may be able to multiply the effect of your gift.

Israeli Shekels

ALYN Special Projects
84 Shmaryahu Levin Street, P.O.B. 9117
Jerusalem 91090 ISRAEL

Friends of ALYN Hospital has a contribution certificate from the tax authorities according to section #46 of the Income Tax regulation. Donations are tax deductible under Israeli law.

If you live elsewhere, please email the office at ALYN for options to donate in other currencies.

Thank you!

In 3 minutes, get an introduction about what makes ALYN — and the children it treats — so special. 

Hiking routes

Hikers have 2 options: A challenging 3-day hike (see maps and description below) as well as a more moderate 2-day course.

The View from Har Hizkiyahu

Today’s Hike: Distance 14.5 km./Elevation gain +280 meters
Click to see map in Strava

Three-day hikers begin the day with breakfast on the slopes of Har Hizkiyahu. As we shake off our journey to the south, we will look out over a beautiful vista along the Israel-Egypt border. In the distance, the mountains of Jordan tower in the background. The unique geology of the Sinai desert creates a scene of many colors as we begin our journey.

The first part of the trek includes a long descent of around five and a half kilometers. At times, the descent will be steep with grades that can reach 20 percent so we will take it slow.

 

Climbing Har Shaharut

The toughest challenge of the day will be the ascent of Har Shaharut. We will follow the Israel National Trail as we hike one of Israel’s most beautiful hiking segments. For over a kilometer the trail proceeds upward along a mountain ridge. The higher we get, the more impressive the views. At the top, we will take a break to rest, eat lunch, and relish the accomplishment of finishing the scent.

 

 

Nachal Netafim

We finish the first day of our trek by walking through Nahal Netafim. This stream bed is dry most of the year, although we may come across small pools of water. The nahal winds its way along a canyon where the rock walls bear evidence of ancient waterfalls.

As we finish our 15 kilometer hike, our campsite will be waiting for us. All our night bags are ready and every hiker can pick out his or her own tent. Once we are settled, we will have a wonderful camp dinner around the fire. It’s a chance to relax, enjoy, and reflect upon the day’s journey.

 

The Top of the Negev

Today’s Hike: Distance 14.3 km./Elevation gain +707 meters
Click to see map in Strava

On Day #2, we will hike a challenging yet rewarding hike that includes the ascent of Har Shlomo along the Israel National Trail. 

Har Shlomo is one of the most magnificent hikes in all of Israel. Last year, we hiked almost to the peak but had to skip the summit because of timing and the approach of darkness. This year, we hope to go all the way to the top to take in the exceptional views extending for miles around.

 

 

 

Reaching the Red Sea

Today’s Hike: Distance 16.3 km./Elevation gain +921 meters
Click to see map in Strava

Today’s hike has been named by Israel 21C has one of the “most spectacular desert hikes in Israel.” There is a steep climb to the top of the mountain, but once you get to the top, you will be very happy you made the climb.

 

Along with those who participated in the 2-day hike, we will stand on the summit of Tzafachot looking down on the entire Red Sea area, with views of Israel, Egypt, Jordan, and even Saudi Arabia.

The final descent bring us back to Eilat and civilization where hot showers and a wonderful farewell dinner await us. (The route is different than the one we took last year.)

While not easy, the two-day hike is more moderate than the three-day option. Hikers will cover 10-12 km/day. The region of the Eilat mountains is hilly and there will be several steep climbs lasting around an hour or even an hour and a half. However, we will take it slow and have frequent breaks so we can spend more time listening to the explanation of the guides. The two-day hike has one night of desert camping. 

Our first day centers around Mount Shlomo, one of the most beautiful hikes in all of Israel. While we will not be climbing to the summit, we will be traversing along the desert paths that wind their way along the slopes and through the surrounding valleys. Spectacular views surround us almost every step of the way while our guides make the mountain come alive with their fascinating explanations. 

Today’s hike has been named by Israel 21C has one of the “most spectacular desert hikes in Israel.” There is a steep climb to the top of the mountain, but once you get to the top, you will be very happy you made the climb. We will stand on the summit looking down on the entire Red Sea area, with views of Israel, Egypt, Jordan, and even Saudi Arabia. We will avoid the extremely steep descent and instead take a more moderate course down.

Why Hike for ALYN?

$18,000
Money Raised
18% raised of $100000
$18,000
Money Raised
18% raised of $100000
ALYN's Heels of Love