Hike For Hope Raises Thousands, Despite Rain

LIVERMORE, CA — Over 1100 people helped raise $153,000 for Hope Hospice’s Hike for Hope at Del Valle Regional Park.

Although 1,174 were registered, only 800 hikers gathered on May 6 largely due to rainy weather and ongoing storm damage that left the park closed until a week before the event. As a result, the fundraising totals fell a bit short of the record set in 2022, when 1,300 hikers raised over $180,000.

“It was looking like we’d have to relocate or reschedule our event, which no organizer of a large annual effort like this wants to do,” Marc Rovetti, the event chair and Hope Hospice director of philanthropy, said in a statement.

“Fortunately, park management gave us a last-minute green light. We’re grateful to the team at Del Valle for helping us keep this tradition with only minor adjustments.”

Lawn games were canceled, but the hike, barbecue lunch sponsored by MCE Corp., and silent auction went forward, despite a light drizzle.

The top fundraising team, Team Sensiba, raised $6,800, and the top fundraising individual, Fari Safinia, raised $1,500, according to Hope Hospice.

The relationship between Hope and the Tri-Valley community is remarkable,” said Rovetti. “Hope has provided immeasurable support for thousands of families since our founding in 1980. We see many of these same people, in turn, give back in ways that allow us to continue our mission and to help the next generation. It’s uplifting to witness the generosity of so many, and reassuring to know that volunteer time and donor dollars go right back into the place we all call home.”

See here for photos and video.

The hike, which has been held since 1980, raises money for the Dublin-based nonprofit, which provides hospice care for patients with terminal illnesses, support for caregivers, funding for patient care, dementia education, and grief support services. Each year, the walk helps Hope Hospice care for many 2,000 people across the East Bay.

Registration for the 2024 walk will open in January.