Hike Kidz Foundation Launches “Clothe the Kidz” Initiative to Support Local Students and Tackle Youth Crisis in Warren County

On March 25, 2025, the Hike Kidz Foundation officially launched a new community-wide campaign aimed at meeting the basic needs of some of the most vulnerable students in Warren County. The initiative, called Safe & Sound: Clothe the Kidz, kicked off with a moving public event attended by community leaders, educators, law enforcement, and residents, all united by one mission—to ensure no child enters the school year unprepared or unseen.

Photo by Leah Faith Photography

The program’s primary goal is to provide a full back-to-school shopping experience for 130 local students, including those identified under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and other at-risk youth. Through fundraising, partnerships, and donations, the Foundation hopes to offer not only essential school supplies and clothing but also dignity, empowerment, and the sense of belonging that many children in crisis often lack.

A Mission Rooted in Lived Experience

The Hike Kidz Foundation was co-founded by Harmony and Aaron Hike, whose personal story fuels the organization’s mission. Aaron Hike, who grew up in and out of the foster care system, spoke emotionally at the event about how it feels to be a child without the basics.

“I know what it’s like to go to school without the right clothes, to feel ashamed, to feel invisible,” he said. “We want to change that for these kids. We want them to start the year feeling proud and excited—just like everyone else.”

After more than a decade of working and building relationships in the Warren County area, the Hikes recognized the need for action, particularly in areas of emergency housing, foster care support, and trauma response. That realization led to the creation of the Safe & Sound campaign—an umbrella for programs like Clothe the Kidz that bring sustainable, community-based solutions to local challenges.

What “Clothe the Kidz” Will Do

At its heart, Clothe the Kidz is about more than just clothes and supplies—it’s about opportunity and self-worth. Children selected for the program will participate in a private shopping event where they will choose their own clothing and school essentials. Each student will be paired with a volunteer, including members of the Front Royal Police Department, in an experience designed to be empowering and fun.

“This is about giving kids choice,” said Harmony Hike. “That feeling of picking out your own backpack, your shoes, your outfit—it can make a huge difference in how a child feels about themselves and school.”

The program also plans to host a public event to distribute additional supplies raised through community donations, ensuring even more students can benefit from the effort.

The $300 “Sponsor a Student” package covers a full set of school items—clothing, shoes, coats, backpacks, and accessories—allowing individuals and businesses to directly impact a local child’s life. The Hike Kidz Foundation is currently seeking 75 individual sponsorships, with a separate campaign underway for students under McKinney-Vento protections.

In addition to supporting students directly, the initiative is also gathering items to aid parents and caregivers—everything from laundry detergent and paper goods to personal hygiene items—acknowledging that preparing a child for school means supporting the entire household.

The group is also collecting essential items for school nurses, who often step in to meet immediate student needs with limited resources. Thanks to the Moms Club of Front Royal, the nursing supply portion is already underway.

Building Community Through Partnership

The event also marked the start of several powerful partnerships. Dr. Matthew Rosario, a mental health professional and community advocate, has joined forces with the Foundation to address another growing crisis—youth mental health.

Dr. Rosario, who has studied disparities in rural mental health care across the country, pledged to work with the Hike Kidz Foundation to build a trauma-focused crisis response plan. This initiative will create a task force to design and implement a support system for children dealing with emotional trauma, housing insecurity, and unstable living environments.

“My pledge is to bring strategic, community-based mental health services to Warren County,” Dr. Rosario said. “Thirty-eight percent of high schoolers in Virginia report feeling persistently sad or hopeless. In rural areas like Front Royal, the challenge is even greater because the resources simply aren’t there. That has to change.”

Dr. Rosario not only pledged his expertise—he also donated 113 backpacks and presented a $5,000 check to the Foundation to launch the Safe & Sound initiative.

Community Leaders Speak Out

The March 25 event included remarks from Mayor Lori Cockrell, who emphasized the importance of action over words.

“I feel like I’m wearing two hats today,” the mayor said. “Yes, I’m your mayor—but I’m also someone who has spent my life caring about children. What the Hike Kidz Foundation is doing is what we need more of. When people see a need and do something about it, it brings out the best in a community.”

Danielle Sperling, Director of Special Services for Warren County Public Schools, also spoke on behalf of the McKinney-Vento team.

“The need is real,” Sperling said. “We have students without stable housing, without resources, and without support. This initiative is already making an impact, and we are honored to work alongside the Hike Kidz Foundation.”

Special Thanks

Harmony and Aaron Hike would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to all the organizations that continue to support the mission of the Hike Kidz Foundation. Their dedication and generosity make it possible to reach local children in need and provide meaningful opportunities for growth, stability, and hope. Special appreciation goes to our community partners—the Front Royal Police Department (FRPD), Warren County Public Schools (WCPS), and Dr. Matthew Rosario—for their ongoing collaboration.

Harmony said, “We are also deeply grateful to our sponsors and contributors: Leah Faith Photography, Petty Betty Treats, Jean’s Jewelers, Reaching Out Now, Family Promise, I Want Candy, Front Royal Soccer Association, Moms Club of Front Royal, TLC Settlement Company, Faith Works, Rockledge Developers, Hike Construction, Brickhouse Bar & Grill, Stone Branch Center for the Arts, Lively Jane, and In the Moment Photo Booth. Your support brings our mission to life.”

How to Get Involved

Supporters are invited to sponsor a student, host a fundraising event, or sign up to volunteer at the back-to-school event scheduled for early August. Community organizations are encouraged to pledge support through fundraising, supply drives, or in-kind donations.

All items will be collected at the Raymond E. Santmyers Student Union & Activity Center, and detailed instructions will be sent to partners ahead of the multi-day shopping event.

“Our hope is to create lasting partnerships,” said Amber Veitenthal, board member of Hike Kidz Foundation. “This is about coming together, combining our efforts, and making a real, measurable difference.”

Anyone interested in becoming a partner or donor can visit the Hike Kidz Foundation website to fill out a pledge form, make a monetary donation, or view the full list of needed supplies and sponsorships.

Looking Ahead

This is just the beginning. The Hike Kidz Foundation has plans to expand its reach in the coming months, with additional outreach programs focused on emergency housing, trauma response, and foster care support.

As Aaron Hike put it, “This town helped me become who I am. Now we’re building a way to give back—and to make sure that every kid, no matter their story, has a chance to thrive.”

For more information, donations, or volunteer sign-ups, visit https://www.hikekidzfoundation.org/