It costs a good chunk of money to run educational and conservation programs at the Grand Canyon — and until recently, the Grand Canyon Conservancy had no problem raising it.
But with the park being closed for much of the summer and in-person fundraising events out of the question, the Conservancy is asking donors to go on a virtual hike together on Sunday.
The #GCCTrailblazer event is fast approaching! 🥾 Whether you're taking a walk around your neighborhood or traversing @GrandCanyonNPS, this is your hands-on opportunity to raise funds to help protect and preserve one of the World Wonders: https://t.co/K31qfSQHIR pic.twitter.com/8PrKr19cTq
— Grand Canyon Conservancy (@GCConservancy) August 20, 2020
"The fundraiser we’re doing is we’re asking people to register, they can get a Grand Canyon Conservancy trailblazer t-shirt, and then go and pledge a distance," spokesperson Alysa Ojeda said. "Either walk, jog, bike, hike, whatever their preference activity is, on Sunday with us live, and share their photos with us from wherever they are."
Donors from as far away as the United Kingdom will walk, hike, jog or bike on Sunday, with the shared goal of raising $50,000.
“We tried to pivot and come up with some virtual experience to bring the canyon to people, and also give us a day where we can feel united and all go for a walk together, just not in the same space,” Ojeda said.
To register for the virtual fundraiser, visit grandcanyon.org.