Johnston Family + Highland Growth Strategies

Hike AT VA for ALZ Join Us

Thank you to all our supporters

$300

Top supporter

David And Kelly Johnston

Feb 10, 2026

$300

Top supporter

Mike And Donna Johnston

Feb 10, 2026

Great job with this event, thank you for doing this.

$250

Top supporter

Barrs 87

Jun 02, 2026

$101

Top supporter

Steve Watson

Jun 03, 2026

$100

Top supporter

Frank Lovell

Jun 03, 2026

$100

Top supporter

Kate And Kevin Marks

Jun 19, 2026

Sorry we can’t join you but are out of town. Great cause. Best of luck.

$100

Top supporter

Lauren

Jun 18, 2026

Wishing you all a wonderful day for such a worthy cause! Sorry we can’t be there in person, but definitely there in spirit. Love and Blessings!!

$100

Top supporter

Diana And Tracy Spencer

Jun 18, 2026

$100

Top supporter

Todd And Saundra Koesters

Jun 17, 2026

$100

Top supporter

Kleins

Jun 17, 2026

Appreciate you all’s effort on this important matter- you all are planting shade trees of which you may never sit.

$100

Top supporter

Tom And Wendy Lovell

Jun 10, 2026

We will be with you in spirit!

$100

Top supporter

Patrick Kearns

Jun 03, 2026

$100

Top supporter

Jim Beeman

Jun 02, 2026

$100

Top supporter

Robert Dearnley

Jun 02, 2026

$100

Top supporter

Rebecca Parry

May 16, 2026

Enjoy the day knowing that our loved ones are with us always!

$100

Top supporter

Margaret O'neal

May 15, 2026

In remembrance of my dear cousin Joan...I am with you all in spirit cheering you all on.

$100

Top supporter

Gay Wolford

May 10, 2026

In honor of my Dad Otha Taylor and friend Joan Johnston.

$87

Top supporter

Rob Proctor

Jun 02, 2026

Hooah - Johnston Strong! LLWP!

$50

Top supporter

David Johnston

Dec 19, 2025

$50

Top supporter

Brian Rotter

Jun 17, 2026

$50

Top supporter

Willie Taylor

Jun 19, 2026

In honor of my friend Joan Johnston and my father Otha Thomas Taylor.

$40

Top supporter

Simon Pavitt

Jun 05, 2026

Go DJ!

$40

Top supporter

Kenny Baillie

Jun 05, 2026

Great job, David. Go well. Kenny

My achievements

First Donation
First Donation

First Donation

Raised 25%
Raised 25%

Raised 25%

Raised 50%
Raised 50%

Raised 50%

Raised 75%
Raised 75%

Raised 75%

Reached Goal
Reached Goal

Reached goal

My Updates

Johnston Family + Highland Growth Strategies Team

Tuesday 10th Feb
Welcome to the Johnston Family and Highland Growth Strategies section of the 2nd Annual Hike AT in Virginia for Alzheimer's fundraising, education and cause amplification initiative.  

My grandmother and mother both had Alzheimer’s. I remember watching my father care for his mother when I was a teenager—only to live through it again years later as he became my mother’s primary caregiver for seven long years. They both passed away in 2023, victims of the same cruel disease.

My wife Kelly was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014. Ten years later, after following a rigorous but clear treatment plan, she’s living a full, joyous life—cancer-free. I’m now investing my time, energy and passion into the Alzheimer’s Association to honor my grandmother, mother, and father—and to help other families facing this devastating illness discover a plan of hope that can lead to a life filled with joy, even without a cure.

A few years ago, Kelly and I committed to section-hiking the Appalachian Trail (AT), a 14-state, 2,200-mile journey from Georgia to Maine, including 550 miles in Virginia. HIKE the AT in VA for ALZ combines our love of the outdoors with two bold goals: to hike the entire trail and to help rid the world of Alzheimer’s and all forms of dementia.

On June 20, 2026, we will meet at the Humpback Rocks Visitor Center (MP 5.8 on the Blue Ridge Parkway) at 7:45 AM.  Teams and hikers can choose from various distances, to include a gentle one mile out and back to the trail head, a more strenuous four mile climb/loop to Humpback Rocks and back to the Visitors Center, and the full 11-mile hike to Three Ridges Overlook at MP 13.1. We’ll hit the trail together by 8:00 AM and plan to gather back together in Charlottesville at 6:00 PM for an après-hike celebration with family, friends, and supporters.  More details on the après-hike location to come as the Hike nears.  


Our Year-Two Goals:

1. Raise a minimum total of $3,000, representing one of the eleven miles of the hike.

2. Provide Alzheimer’s education programs to Highland Growth Strategies' employees and partners and amplify the cause through Highland media and marketing channels.

3. Support the Hike AT VA for ALZ leadership team to create a scalable model/playbook to expand the program across Virginia and eventually the entire AT.

How to Get Involved:

1. Sponsor a Mile/Team — Form a team, raise private donations, and bring in a corporate sponsor. Or, if you're a company, lead the charge and encourage employee participation.

2. Participate — Hike with us (up to five people per team) to honor a loved one impacted by Alzheimer’s, help shuttle hikers, or join the celebration at our après-hike party.

3. Donate — If you can’t form a team or join the hike, contribute to the cause by donating to the Johnston Family + Highland Growth Strategies HIKE the AT in VA for ALZ team.