31st Annual Chuck Wilson Memorial Backpack for BENCHMARK
October 2 – 5, 2025 – Thursday – Sunday
41+ miles, 3 hiking days
9.11.25 – UPDATE:
This week, bad actors have decided to test out some stolen credit cards via BENCHMARK’s secure donation pages. Rest assured, this does not involve any data breach of BENCHMARK donor information. This is simply these bad actors using a common practice to determine which stolen credit cards they can use to steal someone else’s money elsewhere. Again, your donation information is safe and secure – this is not a hack.
We have decided to make the bad actors’ jobs harder and take away any online options for them to test credit cards for the next few days. This means that new online gifts to any of BENCHMARK’s funds are currently disabled. This includes the current 2025 31st Annual Chuck Wilson Memorial Backpack for BENCHMARK.
In the meantime, if you’d like to donate to your favorite Chuck Wilson hiker, you are welcome to contact them directly for payment options. This year’s hikers are Barbara Evans, Kathleen Sheridan, Kinley Winchester, and James Evans.
You can always mail a check to BENCHMARK at 150 39th Avenue N Nashville, TN 37209-4962. Please be sure to write in the memo line “General”, “Chaplains”, or “Chuck – (hiker name)” to specify the fund desired.
We will let you know as soon as online giving and our online store are back up and running. Thank you so much for your support of BENCHMARK! This ministry wouldn’t exist without you!
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This October, a team of 4 will #hikethechuck – a rigorous 41+ miles – all in just 3 days. For the 31st year, this hike means taking a few days to step out of normal life and into creation. Into whatever weather and challenges come their way.
Why do we #hikethechuck? The annual Backpack for BENCHMARK became the Chuck Wilson Memorial in 1999, in memory of this Navy Sailor who had a minister’s heart and a mountaineer’s zeal, and experienced God through the beauty of creation. Check out the short video below to learn more about Chuck.
#ReFocusHisGlory #hikethechuck #backpackforbenchmark #mountainpeaksareworthit #hardcanbehelpful
Who was Chuck? Why do we #hikethechuck?
