Welcome to my fundraising page! As the vice president of HARC, The Hagerstown Area Religious Council here in Hagerstown, MD, I've chosen to participate in a challenging 20 mile hike on May 18th in order to raise money for some of the outstanding programs that HARC has implemented in our community. 

I am proud to be raising funds to support our important programs such as Micah's backpack (now serving more than 1,200 children each week with nutritious meals for the weekends), the Refugee Welcome Network, Equity in Education Scholarship, and childhood education and well-being programs. Our Washington County, Maryland community benefits greatly from HARC's good work.

This year, once I raise $200, everything above that will be matched 2-1 by the God's Grace Fund.  This means your donation could be TRIPLED.  Please help us break records this year with this incredibly generous matching opportunity to sustain and grow HARC's work in the community.

Thank you!

Mark 

A serious hike for adventurous people who want to support a good cause!  This year’s hike will be on the Appalachian Trail starting at Snicker's Gap (Rt 7) in Virginiain Maryland, hiking through West Virginia, and ending just outside of Harper's Ferry in Maryland.  

Proceeds will benefit HARC programs, with a significant portion directed to Micah’s Backpack, which provides nutritious food to food-insecure children in Washington County, MD and the Refugee Welcome Network.  Micah’s Backpack is a collaborative effort between 50 churches and organizations in Washington County, serving more than 1,200 children with weekend meals.  The Refugee Welcome Network exists to support refugees new to the U.S. and Washington County who are unstable and seeking self-sufficiency and friendship.  OtherHARC initiatives include childhood education and well-being programs, justice initiatives including an Equity in Education scholarship program, strengthening houses of worship and building interfaith relationships.

The Hagerstown Area Religious Council (HARC) is a coalition of faith community partners in Washington County, Maryland.  While HARC’s partner congregations can differ greatly on theology, all agree on loving our neighbor and working together to build a better community, help those in need, and support one another.

We believe in the power of faith communities working together.

We believe in nurturing the unlimited potential of every child.

We believe all people have equal value and are loved by God.

We believe in equipping one another to create stronger houses of worship.

Some of our Programs:

Micah's Backpack - 50 different churches and organizations providing weekend meals for more than 1,200 children each week.

Refugee Welcome Network - welcoming and assisting refugees as they work to become part of our community and gain independence.

Interfaith Team - provideding opportuntiies to learn about different faiths and build relationships, while promoting peace and understanding.

Equity in Education Scholarship - providing financial and mentorship support to racially diverse individuals as they work to attain their degrees in education.

Washington County Black Professionals Network (WCBPN) - providing connections and networking opportunities for Blacks of the African diaspora in Washington County, MD, and uplifting Black-owned businesses.

Learning Parties - promoting young children’s development of school readiness skills through supporting and guding parents.

NEW! After School program coming in 2024.

Learn more at https://harccoalition.org/

• anonymous donated $200.00 April 16, 2024
• Elizabeth Perman donated $72.00 April 16, 2024 ... "Thank you for being a part of this very important cause."
• Amy Flicker Jaffe donated $36.00 April 20, 2024
• anonymous donated $25.00 April 17, 2024
• HARC Board Member donated $20.00 May 6, 2024
• Barbara J Ostfeld donated $18.00 April 20, 2024 ... "Proud to support this HARC Challenge Hike!"
• anonymous donated $18.00 April 16, 2024 ... "Go Mark!"