Melinda McCaw

How are you spending your summer? I am training to run the 490-mile Colorado trail in August to raise funds on behalf of Elevate Kids. Elevate Kids mission is to activate kids’ minds, bodies, and spirits and to raise funds to support organizations that do the same. I would like to personally invite you to be a part of supporting this mission by sponsoring my run.

One of the organizations we support is the Kids Aid Backpack Program. Kids Aid helps kids that rely on school meals for food to eat by providing food to eat during the weekend gap. In 2022 Kids Aid was feeding approximately 1,750 kids per week. That need has increased in the last year and now Kids Aid provides food to over 2,300 kids per week.

There are countless stories of what Kids Aid means to the kids it serves. The one that strikes a chord with me was shared by a teacher. One of his students became ill while at school on a Thursday and it was decided to send him home. When he realized he was going to be sent home, he became very distraught, crying uncontrollably. The reason. He knew that if he wasn’t at school on Friday, he wouldn’t receive a backpack. A backpack full of food that he depended on for his weekend meals.

Food plays a huge part in our success when we do physically challenging events such as running the 490-mile Colorado Trail. It’s just as important for these kids on a daily basis.

Please help me bridge the hunger gap for these kids today!

My goal this summer is to set the Women’s Fastest Known Time record to complete the entire 490-mile Colorado Trail on foot. I’ve set a goal of completing the trail in 10 days.

Will you give a donation or pledge an amount per mile completed to help these kids? Your donation will help support kids in the Grand Valley and the production of our second documentary on running the Colorado Trail. This documentary will be used to raise additional funds for kid-focused organizations through its being shown in local theaters, online, and available for sale.

Thank you for taking this step with me to help kids today.