The Wanderer - February 2010
2010 LA Marathon
LAM Collage

Marathon...or 5K?
  With a new course starting at Dodger Stadium, winding through many of LA's famous neighborhoods, and finishing by the Santa Monica Pier, the 2010 LA Marathon will be an historic one!
  This year, the LA Marathon will be held on Sunday, March 21.  As an Official Charity of the LA Marathon, HI-USA is looking for walkers and runners to join the HI-USA Team.  To add to the excitement of Marathon Weekend, there is going to be a special 5K (3.1 miles) event held the day before the marathon at Dodger Stadium.  The 5K is a great way to get involved, while being a little less daunting than the full marathon.  You can raise funds and win prizes in our Opportunity Drawing, and even challenge your friends, family, or coworkers to do the event with you!
Support Our Educational Programs
  In addition to registration reimbursement and the chance to win prizes, you are helping a great cause.  Your generosity and fundraising efforts support the education of local children by enabling the LA Council to provide educational programs through local schools and the Girl Scouts.  These programs are designed by HI to promote cultural understanding and environmental education.
HI-USA LA Marathon & 5K Reimbursement Plan
Reimbursement Plan
  All HI-USA Team Members are eligible to have their registration fee reimbursed through their fundraising efforts.  In addition to registration reimbursement, for every $10 you raise for HI-USA, you will receive one entry into our Opportunity Drawing.
Opportunity Drawing
  To reward HI-USA Team Members and donors, the LA Council holds an Opportunity Drawing with great prizes, including Eurail Passes, a DIRECTV programming package, and many more.  This Drawing is designed to have great odds for all participants, especially our top pledge gatherers.  Fundraising is not limited to athletes, anyone can raise money and enter the Drawing!
Opportunity Drawing
  For more info about our LA Marathon fundraising efforts, educational programs, a current list of prizes for the Opportunity Drawing, or to sign up with HI-USA, call the Council Office at 310-393-6263 or visit our website: lahostels.org
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HI Travel Grant
2009 Recipient Jessica Lah
Aftershock by Jessica Lah
  After spending a year of exchange at the Academy of Fine Arts in Guangzhou, China, Jessica Lah was inspired to travel to the site of the catastrophic 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake in Sichuan province.  While there, she investigated the process of demolition and reconstruction of the roads, cities, and communities, along with the positive and negative effects of the healing stages of recovery.
  For more paintings, photos, and to read Jessica's full story in her own words, click here (PDF document).
Now Accepting 2010 Travel Grant Applicants:
Deadline is March 15
  The Los Angeles Council of HI-USA presents an annual Travel Grant in the amount of $1,000 to an individual who is just beginning his/her travel experiences in life. It is the goal of the LA Council to encourage and promote the pursuit of world exploration and experiential learning through this grant. The applicant's abilities to learn from his/her unique real-world experiences and to share these experiences with HI-USA members upon returning from the trip play a large part in the selection process.  More information and an application for the 2010 Travel Grant is available on our website.
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In Memoriam: Ken Genser
Hostel Development Team
Photo Caption
  Former HI-USA staff member Ken Genser passed away on January 9, 2010.  Ken worked for HI-USA from 1983-1993 and was a key member of the team of HI National and Los Angeles Council staff and volunteers that worked on the development of the HI-Los Angeles/Santa Monica Hostel.  Ken began his career working for HI-USA as the Hostel Development Coordinator for the four California HI Councils.  His position was later expanded to include hostel development projects throughout the western United States.  Ken advised HI Councils and hostel managers in all matters related to hostel development, and he worked on a number of projects including the Seattle, Portland, Santa Cruz, Redwoods National Park, San Clemente, and Imperial Beach hostels.   Ken is fondly remembered by the Los Angeles Council for his work and dedication to the Santa Monica hostel, which opened in 1990 as the largest purpose built hostel in the United States.  Genser served on the Santa Monica City Council since 1988 and was elected mayor three times by the city council.
In This Issue:
The 2010 LA Marathon
HI Travel Grant
In Memoriam: Ken Genser
World Travel 101: Speakers Needed
New Print Wanderer


WT101

Volunteer Speakers Needed!
For more info, email sally.hall@lahostels.org or call us at 310-393-6263


View Print Wanderer
  You can view previous print and electronic copies of The Wanderer on our website.

Volunteer at the HI-Santa Monica Hostel
HI-USA
Be a concierge to guests from all over the world!

For more info, contact Luke:
activities@hilosangeles.org
 

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HI-USA
HI-USA is a non-profit organization promoting
world exploration and understanding since 1934!

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310 393-3413 / lahostels.org