Walking for Sammy: An Appalachian Trail Journey with Purpose

Some dreams take years to grow.

For Faith, hiking the entire Appalachian Trail has been one of those dreams—six years in the making. Stretching roughly 2,200 miles from Georgia to Maine, the AT is not just a hike. It’s a test of endurance, patience, courage, and heart.

After years of dreaming, planning, and preparing, Faith finally found a hiking partner willing to say yes: her mom Sheri.

What started as a bold “maybe” turned into two years of intentional preparation—and now, the time has come. They’re heading to Georgia, ready to begin the adventure of a lifetime.

Why This Hike Is About More Than Miles

Many people who take on the Appalachian Trail choose to hike for something bigger than themselves—raising awareness or funds for causes close to their hearts. Faith and her mom knew immediately that their journey needed purpose.

They chose Sammy’s Backpacks.

Sammy is never far from their thoughts. On hikes, on hard days, and in moments when quitting feels easier than continuing, they talk to him. They ask him for strength. They carry him with them.

Sammy’s Backpacks was created by Sammy’s parents to honor their beautiful son’s life—transforming grief into love, service, and support for others. As Faith and her mom prepare to take on this physically and emotionally demanding journey, intertwining Sammy’s Backpacks with their hike feels both meaningful and grounding.

There will be long days.
There will be moments of doubt.
There will be times when quitting feels tempting.

But letting Sammy down is not an option.

Walking Through Grief, Hope, and Healing

This journey begins during an incredibly heavy time. With a long-awaited verdict in a first-degree murder trial approaching just weeks before the hike, emotions are layered and complex. The hope is that justice can be set aside—at least for a moment—so the focus can be on honoring Sammy’s life rather than fighting for answers.

Sammy will be with them every step of the way.

And this hike is a reminder of something we all forget too easily: tomorrow is never promised. If you have a dream, if something matters deeply to you, sometimes the bravest thing you can do is give it your all—now. See the full youtube video where Sheri and Faith sit down with Sammy’s parents Sam & Brigitte to chat about their upcoming journey and the inspiration behind it all HERE.

How You Can Be Part of the Journey

Faith and Sheri invite you to walk alongside them in spirit.

• Follow their journey on Sheri Fudge’s Youtube channel HERE!
• Offer encouragement with your words
• Support Sammy’s Backpacks in any way you can

Every message matters.
Every share helps.
Every act of support carries more weight than you know.

This hike is about resilience, love, remembrance, and hope—and it’s only just beginning.