Concord Students Participate in Trip of Hope

Concord students will be taking a total of 20 children from Southern West Virginia to Walt Disney World. 
Photo by Orlando Weekly

As of 2015, America has been home to over 427,901 children in the foster care system, with over 7,000 right here in West Virginia, according to Kids Count Data Center. Local organization Trip of Hope, founded by Concord alumni Brandon Hicks and Blake Famer, is seeking to give back to some of these kids for a Thanksgiving trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. To give these kids, many of whom being victims of neglect or abuse, a holiday away from their rough situations, several Concord students have lent a hand to Trip of Hope, serving as chaperones and helping raise money and awareness for the trip.

    Damon Akers, a junior and Sports Management major, got involved in the trip when his friend and fellow chaperone Maizy Landreth recommended him as a possible chaperone. After clearing it with the leadership at Trip of Hope, Akers has been on board and working to raise money for the trip through sponsorships and participating in fundraisers, such as a bake sale. While this is his first time serving with underprivileged children, Akers is excited to be a part of an organization helping at-risk kids in the area and believes he may wish to pursue further outreach work in his field.

    Similarly, Lauren White, a senior double majoring in Business Education and Business Management, got involved with Trip of Hope through Concord alumnus Blake Farmer, who helped start Trip of Hope alongside director Brandon Hicks. Through her background in education and working with Farmer at the Royal Family Kids Camp in Princeton, West Virginia, White developed a love for kids and knew Trip of Hope “would be beneficial to some very deserving children in our area,” so it was a no-brainer for her to sign up for the trip. Since then,

    White has used social media to spread the news of Trip of Hope to her family and friends, better informing the community of the organization’s cause. As a Christmas gift, White’s parents helped pay her way to Disney so she too could give back to one of the kids selected for the trip.

    Josh Roberts, a Recreation and Tourism Management major, also fell into Trip of Hope through working with Royal Family Kids Camp. “The kids come from abusive homes and rough situations that kids should never have to experience,” Roberts said. “The Trip of Hope is a chance to show the kids that there is an entire world to be explored, to give them hope, and show them that anything is possible and that they’re not bound to the situation they might be in.”

    To help raise money for the trip, Roberts has been selling Rada Cutlery, as has fellow Concord student Austin Rooper, junior and Education major with a specialization in social studies.

    Alongside all of the other members of Trip of Hope, from the other chaperones to the many fine folk helping with fundraising, these students will be taking a total of 20 underprivileged children from Southern West Virginia on this trip, providing these kids with more than just a Disney vacation, but a hope and drive for a better life, despite their current situations.