In March alone, the local branch of Luke5Adventures logged more than 700 volunteer hours hiking the trails of Tucson.
But it wasn’t as simple as it sounds.
The volunteers were carrying extra weight up these trails.
The group’s volunteers assist people with disabilities on nature hikes using special equipment that helps carry them. This often requires more than one volunteer.
Their goal is to give those who wouldn’t be able to experience the outdoors an opportunity to get outside.
But they need more help to continue their work.
If organizers have their way, they hope to increase the hiking opportunities they provide those facing accessibility challenges in the upcoming months.
It all started when founder Kevin Schweiger went on a hike and wanted to share his experience with a fellow church member, Debi Rosen, who uses a wheelchair after a devastating car accident.
As an avid outdoor enthusiast, Schweiger hoped to share the beauty of the outdoors with everyone he knew.
That motivated him to start Luke5Adventures in 2019, an organization that works to give those with disabilities the opportunity to go on hikes.
Luke5Adventures hikers on the Sabino Canyon trail in Tucson.
Luke5Adventures originally began in Cincinnati, Ohio. Soon after, Schweiger expanded and is now organizing hikes all over the country.
The name of the organization was inspired by the gospel of Luke Chapter 5, when Jesus’ followers carried a paralyzed man to see him.
“Fast forward to today, and we’re coming up on our 2,000th hike in the last five plus years, and now we have 11 chapters that are spread around the country,” Schweiger said.
The Tucson chapter is one of the most prolific. It started in 2022 and now has more than 40 hikers and 100 volunteers who support those with disabilities on the hikes.
“Ninety-nine percent of the world that we live in is not accessible to people with disabilities, because it’s where the sidewalks end, so to speak,” said Tucson Chapter Director Janet Hale.
March was the chapter’s best month in terms of number of hikes, with 20, Hale said.
“Our goal is to just grow as far as being known who we are and what we do in Tucson, and just providing an opportunity to make the impossible possible, and those who would not otherwise be able to hike our beautiful hiking trails in and around Tucson.”
Their work is not possible without donations from the community and volunteers, which the organization calls “sherpas.”
“We can’t function without our sherpas, our volunteers, no doubt, but there’s a lot that’s costly behind the scenes,” Hale said, citing “the Rosie” — a device used to transport individuals facing mobility challenges — which costs more than $8,000.
To get involved, visit luke5adventures.com for more information.
