Last winter, while hiking with her dog Ella on a trail in the north Georgia mountains, Meredith Emerson, was kidnapped and murdered. Emerson, 24 and a recent UGA graduate, loved the outdoors and getting away with Ella to enjoy the peace, quiet and solitude that the forest provided. That evil found her in the place she went to get away from the things we see on the evening news made the crime seem even worse.

In an effort to keep her memory alive, friends of Emerson have begun a non-profit group to promote causes she believed in, including hiker safety. Right to Hike is the name of the group, and they are planning a number of events to make people aware of what they are doing and to raise money to continue the effort.

The first event will be on Wednesday, June 25, in co-operation with Applebee’s restaurants in the metro area. Applebee’s will donate 15% of the food and drink portion of the check if a coupon is presented when paying. The coupon can be printed from the Right to Hike website, www.righttohikeinc.com. Everyone has to eat on Wednesday, so why not do it at Applebee’s. Have a good meal and support a good cause.

Other events will be announced in coming weeks and we will let you know about them here.

If you would like to donate directly to Right to Hike, Inc., please send contributions to the address below. Checks can be made out to Right to Hike, Inc. Online donations will be available soon. Donations are tax deductible.

Mailing Address: PO Box 1210, Duluth, GA 30096

Email: info@righttohikeinc.com