Together we can climb any mountain
41st Annual Hike-A-Thon
Nov 5 2025
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Note to Donors:
Save on processing fees they can pay by eCheck for a flat fee of $0.59 (otherwise is a 3.5% + the .59 cents).
All donations are Tax Deductible. ID: 94-6173240
Corporate matches: Did you know you could double or triple your impact with matching gifts? Learn more under FAQ.
41st Hike-A-Thon Fundraiser
On Friday, September 26th, 2025, we will launch our annual fundraising event: Our annual Mike Casey Sweeney Ridge Hike-A-Thon. This event is the Portola PTA’s largest and most significant fundraiser, contributing nearly 60% of the PTA’s total annual donation budget.
Where does the money go?
Your support is pivotal to the PTA’s ongoing efforts to provide our students with exceptional educational experiences. This year, the funds we raise will be essential in supporting field trips, school events, assemblies, library books, and a variety of other enriching activities that help make Portola Elementary a vibrant and thriving learning community.
Background
In 1985, Mike Casey took his Portola students on a hike up Sweeney Ridge to explore and learn more about the elementary school's namesake, Gaspar de Portolá. What started as an event with his classroom has grown into a cherished annual tradition involving the entire school and community. Leading up to the hike, students across all grade levels learn about the Spanish explorer Portolá, the Native American tribes that inhabited the area, and the impact these explorers had on the Bay Area. The ascent to the top of Sweeney Ridge is challenging but the reward is worthwhile; on a clear day, the vista is home to a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean to the west and the San Francisco Bay to the east.
After 39 years of teaching, Mr. Casey retired and in 2010 the hike was named in his honor. Mike Casey's Sweeney Ridge Hike also celebrates the culmination of Portola Elementary Parent-Teacher Association’s (PTA) annual Hike-A-Thon fundraiser.
Students, teachers, and staff at Portola raise money during the month prior to help fund numerous programs and events for the current school year to enrich our school environment that our school could not otherwise afford.
Goal: Each student to raise $185. Collective goal: $65,000.
All donations big or small helps!
FAQ
When is the hike?
When is the hike?
The hike will take place on Wednesday, November 5 2025. More information will be distributed through class teachers.
Where is the hike?
Where is the hike?
Start at Portola Elementary to Sweeney Ridge Trail and back. Younger grades will aim to cover half the distance.
How do I donate?
How do I donate?
On our Hike-A-Thon fundraiser page, scroll all the way to the bottom and tap on the "Hike-A-Thon donation". If you want to attribute your donation to multiple students or teachers, please make those donations separately. E.g. If a parent wants to donate to two kids, they would need to add to cart twice.
I want to ask others in my network to donate. Do you have a sample email I can use?
Here is a sample email that includes your student and teacher's name that you can use to send to your network. We also encourage including a video message of your student (sample script here) if you’re requesting donations digitally. Here is a sample video on the right of what it can look like.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQDEUiOiV6k
What are the goals of the Hike-A-Thon?
Our goal is for every student to raise $185 with a school participation of 80% in each classroom no matter the amount. We understand that these are challenging times but the hope is that you are able to contribute any amount to your child’s educational community and seek donations from family members, friends, and neighbors who support education.
In total, we aim to collectively raise $65,000.
When does the Hike-A-Thon close? When is the hike?
Our Hike-A-Thon fundraiser will run beginning on Sept 26th 2025, until November 5th 2025 but please consider donating today. The hike is on Wednesday, November 5, 2024. Students from all grade levels will start at Portola and will walk to the top of Sweeney Ridge.
Are my donations tax deductible?
Yes, your donations are tax deductible. Please use our tax identification number 94-6173240.
Corporate Matches
Did you know many corporations offer corporate matches? Some offer 1:1, which means every dollar you donate to Portola PTA, your corporation will match and donate the same. In the Bay Area, these companies include (but not limited to): YouTube, Google, Salesforce, Wells Fargo, The Gap Corporation, Visa, Levi Strauss & Co., PG&E, Marin CABT, LinkedIn. Ask your employer about your eligibility.
Thank You to our generous T-Shirt Sponsors!
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