The Trailblaze Challenge is a one-day, 26.3-mile hike on the Pinhoti Trail that raises money for Make-A-Wish Alabama. That is a lot of miles for small legs to cover in one day.

Make-A-Wish Alabama organizers wanted a way to include children in fundraising for the organization and decided to host a shorter hike challenge. The Trailblaze Junior Challenge, a 2.63-mile hike, was launched in the Birmingham area in 2022 with great success. This year the event is expanded to include the greater Huntsville area and the Gulf Coast.

"The Trailblaze Challenge is our chapter's largest fundraising event, Trailblaze Junior is a hiking and fundraising event for participants ages 16 and younger," said Abby Scioneaux, Make-A-Wish Alabama's South Alabama regional manager. "The young hikers will trail to hike 2.63 miles all while spreading awareness and raising funds for Make-A-Wish Alabama."

On the Gulf Coast, participants will hike through Blakeley State Park Saturday, April 29. Check-in begins at 9 a.m. and the hike kicks off at 9:30 a.m. The registration fee is $35 per participant and each hiker will receive a T-shirt, a goodie bag and a finisher's medal. Participants will also get a fundraising page where donors can direct funds and participants can track their fundraising goals. Top fundraisers will be recognized.

Make-A-Wish Alabama granted 118 wishes in 2022 and is projected to grant 160 wishes in 2023. Scioneaux said there are currently 275 children waiting for their wishes to be granted and they receive new wish referrals every day.

The funds raised each year during the Trailblaze Challenge are vital to granting wishes. In 2022, the Alabama Trailblaze Challenge and state chapters raised over $1.1 million. This year, Scioneaux said they have raised $630,000 and have set their goal at $1 million. The fundraising goal for the Trailblaze Junior Challenge is $75,000.

"The real challenge is to raise much-needed funds to grant the wishes of children in Alabama with critical illness," Scioneaux said. "A wish gives children renewed energy and strength, brings families closer together and unites communities."

For more information on the Trailblaze Junior Challenge or Trailblaze Challenge, visit www.alabamatrailblaze.com.

For more information on Make-A-Wish Alabama, visit www.alabama.wish.org.