June Update
- Avery Brown
- 15 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Hello friends and family,
I am sending out this message first and foremost to say THANK YOU once again for supporting me in my calling at Luke5Adventures. Whether you were a one-time donor or are a monthly donor, your generosity is so greatly appreciated. The life-change and joy that that our hikers experience is not possible without the support of individuals like you.
When you first donated, I should have sent you a thank you email that in part expressed my intention to keep you updated on the impact you’re making possible and give you a behind the scenes look at what’s been happening lately at Luke5Adventures. That is the purpose of this message. As you read through to the bottom of this message, I pray that you are encouraged and blessed as you hear the stories of lives that are being touched through your generosity and support of Luke5Adventures.
A Quick Summary
Hiking season is in full force! We started this year off early, and we haven't slowed down since.
🥳 New Year Eve Hike - We rang in the new year by taking 2 adventurous men out at 1am on New Year’s Day, during which we got hailed on! What a way to start the year!
🚌 Field Trips - We have partnered with a few local school districts, helping take 2nd-4th grade students on school field trips to the Cincinnati Nature Center, where they learned how to tap Maple Trees. Without our assistance, these couple of students would have had to stay back in the counselors office while the rest of their classmates enjoyed the trip, and that's simply not cool with us. Everybody belongs!
❄️ Snow! - We enjoyed a VERY snowy historical hike at John Bryan State Park, which became more of a sled ride than a hike.
⛪ Easter Caves - During the weekends preceding Holy week, we visited White Gravel Mines Easter Caves, taking many handicapped individuals through the caves, where they reflected on the birth of Jesus through a brilliant interactive tour.
🏜️ Grand Canyon - We had an incredible Hike of A Lifetime in the Grand Canyon with Michael Troyer, a 31 year old man who was paralyzed from the chest down in a car accident at age 5. Over 3 days and 2 nights, we hiked to the bottom of the canyon, swam in the Colorado River, and climbed back out together. As we reached the top, we all joined Michael in tears. This was a dream he never knew he had because he never thought it was possible. Michael is the fifth person with a disability we’ve taken to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
⏰ Trek Around the Clock - We completed our second annual Trek Around the Clock fundraiser, hiking for 24 hours straight. Each hour, 1–3 new hikers joined us, with volunteers coming and going throughout the event. We had a great turnout and were able to take so many people out on the trail together.
🇺🇸 Giving Hope to a Veteran - Luke5 was blessed with the opportunity to help a local Veteran rediscover hope through the outdoors after her MS diagnosis. Read more below.
🐷 Flying Pig - The past two years, hiker Mary Perkins has joined us in the Flying Pig 5k and 10k, but this year she had her sights set larger. Thanks to an amazing relay team consisting of 18 runners, we were able to help Mary run the full Flying Pig Marathon! Go Mary!
👪 Zion Memorial Hike - We had the honor of going to Scout Lookout in Zion National Park with the Backer family, exactly two years after Scott Backer passed away there during a family hike. Alongside his wife Yesenia, daughters Taylor and Brooke, and extended family, we hiked back to the location of his passing to remember, honor, and celebrate Scott’s life. Yesenia herself rode in a Rosie, alongside her daughter Brooke, who has Angelman Syndrome. At a place marked by deep loss, there was also laughter, peace, comfort, and love. We are deeply honored this family trusted us to walk with them through such a meaningful day.
*Scroll to the bottom to view photos of all these hikes.
Title Story - Giving Hope to a Veteran
In the middle of winter, we received a call from Rick at the Fort Thomas Veterans Affairs PTSD Clinic.
He told us about Angie, a patient who had been battling PTSD for years. More recently, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and her health had been rapidly declining. The combination of physical deterioration and trauma had led to severe depression, and she had been on suicide watch for some time. The staff was growing increasingly concerned and was urgently looking for something that might restore her sense of hope.
Rick explained that he had found us online and knew Angie’s history. Before her diagnosis, she loved the outdoors, went on regular walks, and grew up as a Girl Scout. He asked if we could take her on a hike as soon as possible.
We agreed immediately and drove down to Fort Thomas a few days later to meet her. It turned out to be one of the coldest days of the Ohio winter, with wind chill near 5 to 10 degrees. I remember my fingers curling into a U shape just to keep hold of the Rosie handles. Our hikes usually last an hour, but we barely made it to 30 minutes in the cold.
Still, Angie spent the entire hike in tears, the moisture literally freezing on her cheeks.
At the end, we gathered together and hugged. Through tear soaked eyes she said, “I just don’t understand. Why would you three guys drop everything, drive all the way down here, and hike in this weather just for me?" After a brief pause she excitedly added,"but this was the most fun I’ve had in such a long time...When can I do it again?”
We told her we would definitely hike again, and since then we have taken her on another (much warmer) hike. But as we were getting into our cars that day, Rick came over and said, “Guys, don’t underestimate what just happened here. I truly believe this may have saved Angie’s life. She hasn’t shown hope or excitement in months, yet now she's asking about when she can do this again. I am stunned.”
That short, freezing 25 minute hike remains one of my favorite experiences with Luke5Adventures.
It showed me the power of the outdoors,
it showed me the hope that comes from reintroducing possibility,
it showed me the joy of doing what once felt impossible,
it showed me the impact of simple accessibility and community,
and possibly most important, it showed me that a few hours of presence from three people can help restore a person’s hope, joy, and sense of purpose.
Photos
Before I close, I want to thank you again for being part of this ministry.
Everything you've read in this update happened because people like you chose to invest in Luke5Adventures. Every hike, every adaptive piece of equipment, every volunteer trained, and every family served is possible because of your generosity.
Many of you already support this mission monthly, and I cannot adequately express how valuable that consistent support is. It allows us to plan ahead, serve more families, and continue growing this ministry with confidence.
If you've supported Luke5Adventures in the past but have never become a monthly supporter, I would invite you to consider joining that group. Even a modest recurring gift creates a lasting impact and helps provide the steady foundation that keeps this ministry moving forward month after month.
Another meaningful way to help is by sharing Luke5Adventures with friends and family who care about inclusion, disability ministry, and helping people experience God's creation.
Thank you for being part of this story. Your support is changing lives.
With gratitude, Avery Brown