Natick woman hiking for good cause

Natick woman to hike for those in need

By Jeff Shmase

NATICK – It’s been almost 15 years since Alison Smith completed an overnight hike, but this weekend (July 14-16), the 29-year-old Natick resident will be doing just that – along with nearly 30 other women.

Smith will be participating in the annual Wilderness Heals pledge hike that raises money for the Elizabeth Stone House (http://www.elizabethstonehouse.org/) of which she has been a board member since January. The Stone House, located in Roxbury, provides residential and non-residential programs and an emergency shelter for homeless and at-risk survivors of domestic violence, mental illness, substance abuse and other forms of trauma.

As a board member, Smith attends monthly meetings. She has met several clients of the Stone House and found their stories to be impactful.

Volunteering in her community has been a staple in Smith’s adult life. Before moving to Massachusetts four years ago, she served as a mentor and volunteer for an afterschool program in Chicago. When Smith heard of the Wilderness Heals event she felt the fundraiser was “a perfect opportunity to get back into doing something (hiking) that she enjoyed as a child while raising money for a good cause.

Hikers are required to raise a minimum of $1,500 to participate in Wilderness Heals and the copywriter at Reebok had exceeded that figure as of July 5.

Another component required for participation is a training hike that Smith did on June 17 when she scaled Mt. Jackson. “That was a great experience and pretty tiring for an intermediate trail,” she said, adding that the hike was just one day while the actual hike will require three days.”

The all-female contingent will arrive at New Hampshire’s White Mountains on July 14, where they will spend three days hiking and two nights at Appalachian Mountain Club huts. Smith said she is excited to be part of the adventure.

“This will be empowering, especially for a female and its why I enjoy lifting weights and being strong physically and mentally,” Smith said. Conquering a challenge and working towards a goal speaks to life in an even broader way. If there is something that I know is tough for me in the gym but I know it’s something I can do if I work hard enough speaks to life in an even broader way. To be able to have that mental strength and clarity helps with other things in life and keeps things in perspective as well.”