Our 4 Core Values
1. Build community
4. Leave the world better than we found it
Core values
2. Spend time connecting to nature
3. Authenticity
1. Build community
First and foremost, our impact needs to be felt locally. We must love our community first, as they are our foundation. Building community is key to making our campaigns a success, and we employ several methods so that our actions build community, from inviting community members to join us on our hikes to centering local organizations.
2. Spend time connecting to nature
One of the reasons hiking is so powerful is because it creates a love for the natural world. When we hike, we are reconnecting with the world all of us come from. Hiking reinforces the notion that we are a part of nature - an idea that is pivotal to solving global problems such as the shrinking of our national parks and climate change.
3. Authencity
It is of utmost importance that we are authentic in our actions. We love what we do, and we aim to show that by being fully transparent and genuine in our actions. Some ways we promote authenticity are through speaking from the heart, donating directly to the organizations we support, and putting love into our creations (such as this website!)
4. Leave the world better than we found it
When we hike, we see both the impact our work has and where work needs to be done. At Hike4Love, we use our passion to elevate the community, strengthen our relationship with nature, and we do it all with love. Through spreading love and education, we believe that we can make this world better a better place for all of us. We hope that you can support our efforts to realize our goals!
What do we do?
Hikes for Love
Fundraising hikes
Every other month we hike to raise money for an organization that we feel has contributed a great deal to the local community. In the past, we have raised money for the Loveland Foundation and Hui Mālama. Every dollar makes a difference for years to come!
How does a fundraising hike work?
1. We select an organization
2. We work closely with them to send money directly to them to prevent any chance of losing money through transactions
3. We plan a 10+ mile hike to raise money
4. ADVERTISE ADVERTISE ADVERTISE. This is how we raise money!
5. We execute our fundraising hike!
We will publish all fundraising hikes on our page "current hikes for love", and then they will be archived on "past hikes for love". If you want to help us raise money, please share, like, and donate to our campaigns! If you want to create your own fundrasing hike, please contact us!
Outdoor education
When we're not raising money through our fundraising hikes, we're focused on educating people on the outdoors. We have several topics planned, such as hiking with a disability, hiking as a person of color, leave no trace principles, hiking and backpacking on a budget, hiking essentials, land acknowledgements, importance of native plants, how to read topographic maps, how to plan hikes, and so much more! Please contact us with ideas! We wil publish all of our outdoor education videos and posts on "current hikes for love", and then they will be archived on "past hikes for love". You will also be able to view them on our YouTube channel, Hike4Love!
Meet the team
Who we are
We're everyday people who want to change the communities we live in. Though we come from all different backgrounds, we have two things in common: a love for the outdoors, and a love for others. We hope that you choose to support us in our current and future endeavors!
Name:
Ben Borhegyi
Pronouns:
He/him/his or they/them/theirs
Hometown:
Newton. MA
Hello! I'm a sophomore at the University of Montana, Missoula. My first every fundraising hike was in August of 2020. From there, I was inspired to start Hike4Love to hike with friends while also raising money for charity and organizations I love and trust.
In my free time, I enjoy cooking, writing poetry, stargazing, hula dancing, and of course, hiking and backpacking. I have a bike named Janky and over twenty houseplants!
I'm originally from Newton MA, just outside of Boston. I came to the University of Montana to study ecology and climate change. I'm also a fluent Spanish student.
Here's to spreading love!
Aloha! I am currently a sophomore at the University of Montana, Missoula. I always have fun outdoors, and exploring with friends. I enjoy swimming in the ocean, rivers and lakes. I like to spend time hiking, backpacking, going on picnics and watching the sunset.
I was born and raised on the island of O'ahu in Hawai'i. I came to the University of Montana to study environmental science and climate change.
Name:
Kennedy-Anne Marx
Pronouns:
she/her/hers
Hometown:
Kailua Hawai'i
Mel Wardlow grew up on the Hawaiian island of Kaua'i with perpetually sandy toes and salty hair. She eventually found her way to the mainland, where she developed a fondness for craggy mountains and temperate rainforest moss. Since then, she has enjoyed backpacking, climbing, skiing, biking, rafting, and kayaking her way across the West. Mel first moved to Montana to earn a master's degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Montana. She now works as a manager and field instructor for the Wild Rockies Field Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to field-based college education in the Rocky Mountain West.
