Date: 2004-04-19
From: Damascus

To: Saunders Shelter
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Starting at: DamascusEnding at: Saunders ShelterMiles: 9.2We came in to the Sidetrack Cafe this morning to help out with the breakfast crowd. While we were here, Bramble, a fellow hiker came in. Bramble is a firefighter from Connecticut, hiking to raise money for the UCONN Cancer Fund in memory of his aunt, Marie Colligan, who passed away shortly after he started his hike. He's trying to raise $25K to establish The Marie Colligan Fund.Bramble checks in periodically with a radio station who is following his progress. They have a listener base of about 30,000 people. This morning Bramble gave all the hikers here at the Sidetrack a chance to talk to the station live on the air. This was a great opportunity to talk to a huge audience about Artseed, the arts education non-profit we're hiking to raise money for. Artseed is based in the San Francisco Bay Area. It was founded by Arwen's mom Josefa, and it works with underpriveliged and "at-risk" youth in long-term mentorships. It uses the arts as a vehicle to foster an interest in learning, responsibility, confidence, and self-esteem. It's taken kids who've literally never been off their block or out of their project, and brings them into art museums, teaches them fine art techniques, and encourages them to put on shows. Some kids have sold paintings. Others have been accepted to competitive arts schools. But most importantly, they've learned that life offers other alternatives besides drugs, pregnancy, and gang violence. They learn that they're worth something, they're capable of more than they thought, and that people out there do care about them.We've watched Artseed grow from a one-woman operation (perhaps some would say obsession) to a bona fide organization. They've attracted some wonderful volunteers and board members that keep the organization progressing. We are hiking the Appalachian Trail not only for ourselves, but also as a fundraiser for Artseed. We're collecting pledges of pennies, nickels, dimes and dollars for each mile hiked. As we're trudging down the trail, it's a huge inspiration to know every step we take brings in donations for these awesome kids.Plus we're collaborating in another way. While we're out here on the trail, the kids are making art that relates to hiking, camping, and the outdoors. Some have never been on a campout or a hike, so we can't wait to see what their imaginations come up with. And while they're making art back in the Bay Area, we're collecting doodles, or "storyboards," from other hikers we encounter on the trail. These may be used along with the kids' drawings to create larger, collaborative pieces. This is a collaboration that brings together east coast and west coast, urban and rural communities. We are so pleased to be a part of it!If you are interested in making a pledge or donation to Artseed, contact founder Josefa Vaughan at info@artseed.org, or make your pledge online at www.artseed.org. Thanks!Arwen says...So we could barely pull ourselves away from Damascus. We left at four o'clock and knocked out 9 miles before dark. We should have done more but what can you do? This is the first time I have had mixed feelings about leaving a town. We can't let this happen again.Camera 1 & Camera 2Heather & Arwenvaughan@pocketmail.comhttp://www.hobbithole.net