On November 18, 2006, the father of Mackenzie Shankle met Wisconsin’s Youth Hike Coordinator, Abby, at Breckenhaus Restaurant in Portage where she presented him with a hike award for 3 year old Mackenzie. Unfortunately Mackenzie and her Mom were unable to attend. The father was very grateful for the check. They had a soft drink and talked with the father before heading home.

Abby and Mackenzie’s Father

On November 18, 2006, Abigail, Wisconsin’s Youth Hike Coordinator, met lunch the mother and father of 5-month old Ava Rose Knudson at Oscar’s Restaurant in West Allis. After lunch Abby presented the family with the HIKE award for Ava Rose.

Dad and Ava

Dad, Ava, Mom & Abby

On September 10, 2006, at a Hike held in Waukesha, Wisconsin’s Youth Hike Coordinator, Abigail, presented five-year old Austin Dick with a HIKE award. The family thanked the girls for all the hard work. After the picnic and everything had been cleaned up, Abby with Austin and his brother took to the park.

Dad, Mom with Austin, his
brother and Abby

Indiana December 9, 2006 

On December 9, 2006, six year old Tia King was presented a HIKE award by the members of Bethel #2, Terre Haute.

Front Row: HQ Jamie; Tia; Bill, Thrice Potent Master of the Valley of the
Terre Haute Scottish Rite; and Jasmine
2^nd Row: Miranda, Jessie, Emily, Taylor and Morgan
3^rd Row: Marie, Amanda, Mallory, and Rustie
4^th Row: GBHQ Gina; ABG Dave; Jr. Miss Indiana Leslie
IN HIKE Coordinator Peggy; and GG Mary Jo

Virginia December 19

On December 19, 2006 Bethel #53 of Richmond, VA held a Christmas Party and Pot Luck dinner at the Westhampton Masonic Lodge. Six year old Patrick Roberts and his family were invited to attend the party and dinner. The Senior Princess, Amanda, along with the Grand Guardian of Virginia presented a HIKE award to Patrick and a special gift. The family expressed their thanks for the award.

Wisconsin Thank You

A Thank You Note

To Whom It May Concern:

Our daughter (3 years old) recently has been awarded financial support through your organization. I cannot begin to express the gratitude we feel towards your generosity. To say that we were excited is quite an understatement. As most parents, we love our daughter deeply and want to provide the very best for her. Thanks to the HIKE Fund, you have helped to make this possible.

In the few short months since her diagnosis, we have emphasized her sign language, worked in depth with several speech therapists, engaged her with several community play groups, and immersed her in a language rich world. However in the few short weeks since receiving her hearing aids, she has made the most progress. She babbles continuously and gleams because she can now hear her own voice. She verbalizes words as she signs them with ease. She points to the airplane flying overhead as she now can hear its engine roar. She covers her ears at the sound of a siren because she thinks it's just a bit too loud. I could go on and on with all of the wonderful gains that she has made since having her hearing aids. It is such an unbelievable miracle that she has the ability to hear what we take for granted.

Once again, thank you to all of the gracious people involved in your organization for your generous gift. We are eternally grateful! May God bless all of you!

Sincerely,
The Family