Food and funds are part of the Byram Charity Hike

Byram n The second annual Byram Township Charity Hike will be held Saturday, Oct. 20 at Hudson Farms, Stanhope-Sparta Road (Route 605). Hikers can check in and begin their walks between 7:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Each hiker will be issued a wrist band to ensure that everyone makes it back safely. This year’s event boasts a new route with especially gorgeous vistas and forested paths on the Highlands Trail leading to beautiful Bear Pond, according to the organizers. This year it is a self-guided hike without guides, a change from last year. Organizers have marked the route with surveyor’s tape and six check points so that even the most inexperienced walkers won’t be nervous. The route should take about an hour and a half to two hours to finish. Hot dogs and hamburgers will be served at the end of the event, gratis to hikers as a thank you for participating. Marie Raffay, organizer of the event explains that “this is charity event that costs the participants no money, gives people a chance to enjoy the outdoors and be part of a community event.” A charity event that costs participants no money seems like an oxymoron. Money is raised from Hudson Farms, the sole sponsor of this event by each hiker. When hikers finish walking, they will be given “Funny Money,” a dollar for however old the walker is, which they then get to “spend” at the three charities, Byram Schools, Byram Township Fire Department or Lakeland Emergency Squad. Hikers get to choose how much of their “Funny Money” goes to each charity. According to Raffay “you can spend your money all in one place, or you can divvy it up any way you want.” At the end of the day, Hudson Farms turns the Funny Money into real dollars. Last year’s event brought in over $27,000 to the charities. This unique fund raiser was the brainchild of Hudson Farms as a way of supporting the local community and promoting outdoor activities. Raffay and the organizers are hoping for another successful year. “A thousand people would be great” said Raffay. About 700 attended last year. “You do not have to be a Byram resident to participate.” Pre-registration is requested, but not required. Registrations are also accepted on the day of the event. Those interested or in need of more information can call 973-347-7303. Surprising to Raffay, she said as she reminisced about last year’s event is that “people were having so much fun” interacting with their neighbors. “They were just so happy.”