Photo Friday: Hike to Help Refugees

So hopefully by now, you already know how to show your support for refugees with a Blue Key. (If not, what are you waiting for? It’s only $5!)

Here’s another creative way our dedicated supporters in Nebraska and Iowa show their support: Hike to Help Refugees has been educating communities about refugees and raising funds for UNHCR since 2002. Every year they hike the length  of the Wabash Trace Nature Trail in southwest Iowa.  Along the way they are supported by individuals, churches, local media and the Southwest Iowa Nature Trail volunteer organization.

Their active community of volunteers from Nebraska and Iowa exists to support the humanitarian work of the United Nations Refugee Agency which provides protection, shelter, food, water, sanitation and medical care to millions of refugees worldwide.

This year’s event took place on September 10-16. Participants hike a day, weekend or full week. Hikers obtain sponsors to help raise money for refugees. Over the eight years of hosting the Hike, volunteers have raised over $100,000 for USA for UNHCR! 

For photo Friday, here are the photos from 2011′s Hike to Help Refugees.  All photos are courtesy of and copyrighted by Dave Jenkins of Midwest Photo Pro.

The organization also sponsors a “Tango-thon” to help refugees and has created a “Recycle 4 Refugees” program, among other activities.

If you are in the Omaha area, connect with the Hikers on Facebook to get involved in their next event. If you’re not around Omaha, you can still show your support for refugees with your Blue Key! If you are really up to the challenge, you can become a Blue Key Champion.