February 27-29

Heels of Love 2024

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Fundraising

The Mountains of the Judean Desert!

Heels of Love 2024: February 27-29, 2024

The Judean Desert, a spectacular area that is both close to Jerusalem and yet can seem so far.

Hike with is through remote desert scenery. Traverse mountains and valleys and hike along dry riverbeds where centuries of time can be seen etched into the canyon walls.

We will have two groups: A challenge group that will hike 16-20 km/day and a moderate (but not too easy!) group that will hike around 10-12 km/day.

We will all camp together in our famous “glamping” campsites where you will be shocked at how delicious food cooked at a desert campsite can be!

You can come for two or three days. The fun starts February 27 and finishes either the 28th or 29th. Round trip transportation is provided from Jerusalem.

We can’t wait to hike with you!

Details

Essentials

Comfortable hiking shoes — not sneakers, running shoes, or sandals! This is one of the most important things you will need. Your whole hiking experience will be affected by your shoes. You will be walking around 16 km/10 miles a day in your shoes, so proper footwear is a must.
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 temperatures. You do not have to carry the sleeping bag on the hike; it will be kept in your duffel bag (see below).
Hiking Pants/Shorts – Do not bring sweat pants to hike in! (They are great for sitting round the campfire, but not so pleasant while hiking if it gets hot!

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 choose to also have a hydration bag within your pack that you fill up from the bottles and sip while walking.

Hat
Sunscreen
Small plastic bag (for garbage, damp clothing, etc)
Light jacket against wind or rain
Basic first aid items like band-aids (or other adhesive bandages) and anti-chafing cream (we will have a paramedic, but it is useful to have these on-hand)
Personal snacks (If there is a trail mix you just can’t live without!)
Alpine walking sticks (optional)
Phone/camera (you will be able to charge them at the campsites)
Sunglasses
Earplugs (optional)
Headlamp or flashlight

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 end of each day at the campsites. In your duffel bag, you will carry:

Walking clothes for each day on the trail. We will be providing hiking shirts, but you should bring shorts/pants and 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
Plastic bag for laundry
Medication
Extra batteries for flashlight, charger for phone, etc.

WE BRING TENTS AND CAMP MATRESSES. WE ALSO BRING WATER AND ALL MEALS!

Challenge

The Challenge group will average 8+ hours of hiking/day with just a few breaks. The terrain can be challenging with steep climbs and descents and sections of loose rock. Distance is more than 14 kilometers (8.6 miles) per day with hikes starting soon after sunrise and finishing just before dark. The pace is a brisk walking pace. Hikers should be in strong physical shape and have experience with all day hikes.

Moderate (but by no means easy!)

These hikes are not easy. However, there are more frequent breaks to rest and learn about the areas we are hiking. There are steep ascents and descents, though not as physically demanding than those in the Group A hike. Distance averages around 10 kilometers (6 miles) per day. Actual hiking — not included breaks — is 5-6 hours/day. Pace is a moderate walking pace. Since both groups camp together, one can switch from one day to the next. If you are at all unsure which route to do, we encourage you to join the moderate group on the first day. If you feel that you could do a harder hike, just let us know the first evening at the campsite. This is much preferable to joining the Challenge group and finding yourself unable to keep the pace.

After a long day of hiking, nothing is more welcoming than a beautiful campsite that has already been set up by our staff. Every hiker gets his or her own tent and sleeping pad (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 stories of the day’s adventures. Our hot dinners are delicious and accompanied by your choice of beverages. As we sit around the campfire, special guests will inspire you with 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 Celsius/64-77 Fahrenheit. Nights are much colder so we strongly recommend that you bring a sleeping bag designed for lower temperatures. Our campsites have toilets and a place for washing up and brushing teeth.

The cost of participation is the registration fee ($400/₪ 1,500) and a minimum fundraising requirement depending on which route you choose.

Minimum fundraising requirements: $3,000 for those hiking three days and $2,000 for those hiking for two days.

Discounts for couples: $5,000 combined for three days

All contributions are tax deductible in Israeli, American, Canadian, and UK currency. We ask that everyone raise the minimum required amount by one week before the hike. We will keep your pages open for an additional week after the hike so you can raise even more by telling your friends how amazing it was!

You will be required to cover any remaining fundraising gaps.

Donations can also be made through the American Friends of ALYN Hospital office or the Canadian Friends of ALYN office.

You can cancel for a full refund until February 5, 2024.

Your ALYN Fundraising Tool Kit

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 over 20 years of experience and thousands of participants 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:

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 for hours every day, you can certainly go the extra mile for the children of ALYN.
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.
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.
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 [Donor’s Name], I am writing to you today to share an exciting opportunity I have to support a wonderful cause. As you may know, I have recently committed to participate in a tough hike to raise funds for ALYN Hospital in Jerusalem, Israel. You can donate online on my fundraising page: [insert your fundraising page link] ALYN Hospital is a remarkable institution that provides cutting-edge rehabilitation care for children with physical disabilities. The hospital’s team of doctors, therapists, and caregivers are committed to providing the best possible care for children with a range of conditions, including cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, and neuromuscular disorders. The hike I am participating in is no easy feat. I will be hiking through challenging terrain, facing steep climbs and descents, and pushing my physical limits. However, I am willing to take on this challenge because I believe in the incredible work that ALYN Hospital is doing for children and families in need. I am reaching out to you today because I am seeking your support in this effort. I am hoping to raise [insert fundraising goal] for ALYN Hospital and I would be deeply grateful for any contribution you are able to make. Your donation will help support vital rehabilitation services for children in need, including physical and occupational therapy, adaptive equipment, and specialized care. I know that times are tough for many people right now, but any amount you are able to contribute will make a difference. Whether it is $5, $50, or $500, your donation will go a long way in helping to support ALYN Hospital and the children they serve. Thank you in advance for your generosity and support. Your contribution will make a difference in the lives of children in need and will help me to reach my fundraising goal. Sincerely, [Your Name]

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

The work that ALYN does is inspiring. The more you can relate to your friends and family about the impact ALYN has on children, the more effective your fundraising will be.

YITZHAK: A MOTHER'S THANKS

Raizy Wachsman wrote two whole pages of thanks to the staff at ALYN Hospital after her son, Yitzhak, had been referred to ALYN for rehabilitation in the fall of 2020 after being hit by a car while crossing a busy road. Yitzhak had sustained multiple injuries, including a rib fracture and a severe fracture in his femur. His leg had to be stabilized with metal rods into the bone from both sides of his knee to the pelvis. While his rehabilitation process originally began at the local Kupat Cholim, Yitzhak was soon after referred to ALYN. “From our first meeting at ALYN with Dr. Michal, we immediately felt assured that Yitzi’s case would really be taken to heart!” said Raizy.

After many months of slow progress, after Purim, Yitzhak had surgery to remove the rods and he is now slowly regaining movement and independence. READ HERE

RAZ BEN DAVID: FORMER ALYN PATIENT, STRIKING A POSITIVE CHORD

Raz Ben David experienced a spinal cord infarction, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. The doctors who diagnosed him at a general hospital thought the damage was so severe that he would not walk again. The following month, Raz was referred to ALYN Hospital for rehabilitation. Turns out he is one of only 33 people in the world who have had this specific type of spinal cord infarction. As far as we know, no other known patient with this specific condition is reported to have mobility except for Raz.

At ALYN, he received intense physical therapy, hydrotherapy and occupational therapy, as well as psychological support for both him and his parents. Raz’s father says about the staff at ALYN, “The people here are amazing, truly amazing. They are giving, caring, genuinely concerned and do their very best.” READ MORE

SHIMON’S JOURNEY TO RECOVERY

Shimon is almost 12 years old and is a triplet! He was born healthy and remained healthy until he started having back pains earlier this year. After going to the doctor and having a number of tests including an MRI, the doctors discovered that he had a malformation of the blood vessels leading to his spinal cord. Due to complications of the surgery, he was left paralyzed from the waist down (paraplegic). When Shimon came to ALYN Hospital in April 2019 (just a few days before Pesach), he was not able to hold his own body weight to sit up at all. He needed a specialized wheelchair that supported his entire body in a sitting position. Today, after a tremendous amount of effort working in various therapies, especially physiotherapy, Shimon is now able to use a regular wheelchair. He also has intensive occupational therapy, hydrotherapy and psychological treatment, and he learns in the ALYN Hospital Learning Center within the Rehabilitation Department to help him stay on target with his progress in school. His treatments are augmented by using medical clowns, virtual reality, therapeutic gardening, animal assisted therapy, art and the therapeutic sports center. In addition to all of the above, the ALYN Hospital staff of the Learning Center as well as the social worker reached out with advice and guidance to the staff of Shimon’s school regarding what adaptations would be needed in order to re-admit him – with his wheelchair – this fall so that he can go back to his class, his teachers and his friends. He still has a long road of continued rehabilitation ahead of him, but Shimon and his family can take comfort in the knowledge that they can rely on the ALYN Hospital staff to be there for them the entire way.

Pictures from the 2022 Heels of Love Hike

Twillory: Official Apparel Sponsor of Heels of Love

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Heels of Love 2024