Kelseyville >> Friends and supporters of Worldwide Healing Hands (WHH) will gather Saturday morning to walk Mount Konocti’s Wright Summit Trail during the second “Hike 4 Healing.” The yearly trek is a fundraiser to support the work of WHH in Lake County and in underserved areas of the world. This year, “virtual” hikers — those who cannot make the scheduled hike — will join the April 25 event via Facebook.
There is still time to sign up for either the actual or virtual hike, reminds WHH’s medical director Dr. Paula Dhanda. Hike participants will traverse a little more than 6 miles round-trip, with an elevation gain of 1,600 feet, along the trail.
“Docents led by Tom Nixon make the hike very special with their interesting historical facts and stories,” Dhanda said. “Last year, they allowed us to climb the tower at the top of Mount Konocti for a spectacular view of Lake County.”
Entrance fee for the hike is $25 per person. There is no charge for children younger than the age of 12 to participate.
Participants may register at Dhanda’s office at 5685 Main St. in Kelseyville or online by visiting the WHH’s website, www.worldwidehealinghands.org, or EventBrite (https://eventbrite.com/event/15794115625/). Last-minute registrations will be accepted between 8 and 9 a.m. Saturday, with the hike starting at 9 a.m.
Facebook participants in the “Virtual Hike 4 Healing” will receive WHH visors and will be urged to post pictures of their hikes while wearing the visors. Find out more on the Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/events/898827700140409/.
Registrants’ names will be entered into a drawing for prizes donated by Lakeport English Inn (a one-night stay and tea for two), Cache Creek Vineyards and Disney Boats Rentals.
For information about the Hike 4 Healing, call (707) 279-8733. Visit WHH’s website, www.worldwidehealinghands.org, to read more about the organization.
Several individuals and businesses are sponsoring the 2015 Hike 4 Healing.
“We are grateful to the generous sponsors of this year’s event, as well as to all the individuals participating in the hike,” Dhanda said. All donations will help support WHH’s goals and missions to provide quality health care to women and children, especially those who do not have access to such care.
“Diamond” sponsors, donors of $1,000 or more, include Dr. Derrick Barnes, Rose Marie Blackwell, Dr. Kenneth Cartwright, Dr. Dwight Chen, St. Helena Hospital, Clear Lake (David Santos, CEO) and Top Speed Data. Contributing at least $500 as “Gold” sponsors are Dr. Arthur Bikangaga, Randy and Birgit Hausted, Dina Hutton, Dr. Rodney Look, Dr. Alan and Kathy Sampson, Roland and Nell Shaul, Gerard and Rachel Thibodeau; and “Silver” sponsors, $250-level, are Michael Purvis and Carol Lawrence, Linda Colton, Laura Santarelli and Ben Vanderzwaag.
The Hike 4 Healing was launched in 2014 as a fundraiser for WHH’ missions, according to Hike 4 Healing coordinator Anthony O’Brien, a WHH board member and supporter.
WHH volunteer medical teams provide free health screenings to homeless in Lake County, and WHH provides health care services to women and children in underserved areas of the world. WHH teams have traveled to Nepal, Chad and Haiti to deliver health services.
“Please join us on our Hike 4 Healing this year so that we may help many more women and children with the care they need and deserve,” O’Brien said.
