FUNDRAISING
SUPPORT EFFORTS TO FREE THE HIKERS
Apr 24th
FREE THE HIKERS CAMPAIGN: led by Shane, Sarah, and Josh’s families is continually incurring expenses. Since learning of their imprisonment, the families have been working tirelessly to bring them home. They have hired an Iranian attorney in Tehran, hired Farsi translators to ensure accurate and respectful communication, maintained a website to share Shane, Sarah, and Josh’s story, and used social networking strategies to share the story with fans on Facebook and Twitter.
Upon obtaining their visas, the mothers will be on their way to Iran to visit their children at Evin Prison. This means that they’ll need airline flights and hotel accommodations, as well as translators, guides, and ongoing work with their Iranian attorney. Your contribution will go directly to making this trip a reality and maintaining the continual costs of the Free the Hikers campaign. Donations larger than $100 are now tax-deductible!!
Your generous donation will make the difference in doing everything possible to free Shane, Sarah, and Josh and allow them to return home to their lives and their families. For smaller donations, please click HERE.
Every little bit helps!
SPREAD THE WORD
We’ve also provided a fundraising appeal letter for you to download and share with your friends and family.
| FUNDRAISING LETTER: PAGE ONE | FUNDRAISING LETTER: PAGE TWO |
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 (Click on image to enlarge.) |  (Click on image to enlarge.) |
Click HERE to download this document as a PDF and Word Document.
FUNDRAISER FOR JAILED HIKERS
Feb 27th
For almost seven months, three U.S. hikers have been detained in Iran. The wait is excruciating for their families. One of the hikers is from Minnesota, and friends and community members are rallying around his family.
A fundraiser at the American Legion in Le Center is part of the community’s fight to free the U.S. hikers. Bauer and the two other hikers have been held captive in Iran for 210 days. Bauer’s mother Cindy Hickey said, “No one’s been able to set eyes on Shane, Josh, or Sarah for over three months, so that’s concerning for us.” Bauer, Sarah Shourd, and Josh Fattal were detained on July 31, after apparently hiking into Iran from Iraqi Kurdistan. The Iranian Government accused the hikers of spying. Their families said it’s all a mistake. Shourd was working as an English teacher. Bauer was working as a freelance journalist. Fattal was in the area, visiting his two friends.
The “fundraiser fish dinner” at the American Legion is helping the families raise money for trips to the Middle East. Iran’s top human right’s official has recommended that they be allowed to visit the hikers in jail. The families are awaiting word to see if they’ll be granted visas to enter Iran.
Sarah Shourd’s mother flew in from California for the fundraiser, and believes the support is crucial. Shourd said, “It makes us feel really good, it keeps us going.” Friends say they’ll continue to support the hikers’ families until they’re freed.
LAGUNA EVENT VIDEO
Dec 24th
VIDEO FROM LAGUNA, CA EVENT: 10 DEC 2009:
Shon Meckfessel, the “Fourth” Hiker, Speaks in Laguna on December 10th:
In this video, Shon Meckfessel, gives an impromptu talk about what happened on that fateful hike, in which his friends were taken into custody by the Iranian authorities. It is prefaced by a brief update on the hikers by Sarah Shourd’s mother, Nora.
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DANCE PARTY BENEFIT
Sep 29th
ALL YOU GREAT PEOPLE! Come out and dance to help raise much needed funds for the organizing efforts for Sarah, Shane and Josh! | |
| BENEFIT DETAILS:
LIVE MUSIC: 7PM to 9PM
DANCE PARTY: 9PM to Late
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! If you’re interested helping out with planning or volunteering at the event, please get in touch with: Jen Miller (friendsofhikers@gmail.com) | |
DETAINED HIKERS GET DULUTH SUPPORT
Sep 29th
REPRINTED FROM WDIO IN DELUTH:
Three American hikers, detained in Iran For nearly two months are gaining support in Duluth. One of those hikers, Shane Bauer, Is from Pine City. WDIO spoke with his family Sunday at a fundraising event.
Shane’s brother-in-law, Nate Lindstrom, was the planner behind the fundraiser at The Spiritual Deli, but he said it was definitely a community effort. Lindstrom said he hasn’t heard from his brother-in-law since he was captured July 31st.
Today’s fundraiser included food, live music and a silent auction. Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal Are the other two hikers detained. All proceeds will go to the three families and the costs of getting the hikers home.
