Hike Kidz Foundation Builds Momentum with Community-First Mission and New Board of Directors

In a time when many communities are seeking solutions close to home, the Hike Kidz Foundation is firmly planting its roots in local soil.

The growing nonprofit has announced its Board of Directors, marking a significant step toward its mission to address the community’s crisis through grassroots action, meaningful partnerships, and hands-on engagement.

Members of the newly appointed Hike Kidz Foundation Board of Directors gather around the conference table to begin planning upcoming initiatives, already hard at work advancing the organization’s mission to serve local families and strengthen the community. Photos by DOK.

For Founder Harmony Hike, the organization’s direction has always been clear.

“Our mission has always been simple — if there’s a crisis in our community, we don’t look away. We lean in,” Hike said.

Founded on the principle of keeping solutions local, Hike Kidz Foundation focuses on listening first, then acting.

“We believe the people closest to the problem are closest to the solution,” Hike said. “Our job is to listen, connect, and respond.”

Rather than applying one-size-fits-all programs, the foundation engages directly with those already serving on the front lines.

“We go into neighborhoods, into schools, into the rooms where service providers are already doing the hard work, and we ask one question: ‘What do you need?’” Hike said. “Then we work until we find a way to help meet that need.”

That approach has shaped the foundation’s early growth. Through grassroots fundraising, community partnerships, and the use of outside resources, Hike Kidz Foundation aims to strengthen what is already working, not duplicate it.

Harmony Hike, founder of Hike Kidz Foundation, leads a strategic planning discussion as members of the newly appointed Board of Directors gather around the conference table to map out upcoming initiatives and community impact efforts.

“We’re not trying to replace existing efforts,” Hike said. “We’re trying to strengthen them, to bring in resources, and to open more doors for families who need them.”

As a relatively new organization, Hike said she has been humbled by the foundation’s support.

“We may be new, but our determination runs deep,” she said. “The love and support we’ve received reminds us that people want to come together — they just need a bridge. We want to be that bridge.”

Hike emphasized that transparency and impact remain central to the foundation’s promise.

“This isn’t about recognition. It’s about impact,” she said. “Every dollar donated, every volunteer hour, every partnership, it goes directly to those who need it most. That’s our commitment.”

She added that the organization’s supporters are essential to its success.

“Our sponsors and donors aren’t just supporters, they’re part of the mission,” Hike said. “They are the fuel that keeps us moving.”

A Leadership Team Focused on Service

Guiding the next chapter of the foundation is a diverse Board of Directors committed to community service:

Board Officers and Chairs

• President: Amber Veitenthal
• Vice President: Dr. Kristen Pence
• Secretary: Dr. Melissa DeDomenico Payne
• Treasurer: Quentin Daugherty, CPA
• Chair of Development: Harmony Hike
• Chair of Fundraising: Amanda Keeler Slate
• Chair of Finance: Aaron Hike
• Chair of Performance: Stephonie Baker

At-Large Board Members

• Linda Funk
• Elizabeth Vaught
• Michael Williams
• Jenny Rhodes
• Rob Dimariano
• Lori Cockrell
• Cheryl Cullers
• David Silek

Together, the board brings professional expertise and shared commitment to keeping the foundation’s work grounded in local needs.

“At the end of the day, this foundation exists because we care deeply about our community,” Hike said. “We are committed to staying local, staying present, and staying true to our mission.”

As Hike Kidz Foundation continues to grow, its focus remains unchanged: listening, responding, and ensuring that help reaches those who need it most, right here at home.