CALLING ON COMMUNITY. This year's Hike for the Homeless event, Beacon House's largest yearly fundraiser, returns on Aug. 19. The family shelter's team hopes to raise $35,000 as they see an increased need; the shelter has already supported over 90 children in 2025. (Photo via Facebook)

For longtime Beacon House volunteer Bill Callaghan, this year’s community walk and fundraiser event, Hike for the Homeless, is perhaps more significant than ever before. The 22nd annual event, slated from 5-8pm on Tuesday, Aug. 19, at River Prairie Park in Altoona, will be Bill and Laurel Callaghan’s 10th year participating; need for the shelter's resources continues to grow.

Over the years, Bill has volunteered in various ways for Family Promise of the Chippewa Valley (FPCV), the organization which operates Beacon House. This past year, he even coordinated a first-time fundraising campaign for the Eau Claire organization: Illuminating Children’s Futures.

Beacon House (309 Lake St., Eau Claire), which provides support and shelter for homeless families with children in the Chippewa Valley, is unique in its local efforts, Bill says.

Colleen Weber, director of development for FPCV, said the organization is seeing an increased need for its services this year. ... In just the first five months of 2025, the organization has supported over 30 families and 92 children, Weber said.

While a handful of organizations also aim to support housing-insecure and homeless individuals in the community – including Sojourner House, Hope Gospel Mission, Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council, and others – Beacon House is the only children-focused operation.

“(Beacon House) has a high success rate of putting families into transitional housing that become their homes,” Bill said.

Volunteer Bill Callaghan said community organizations have begun to show up for Beacon House in a significant way, with over 35 sponsors of this year's Hike for the Homeless already on board. One of those is Altoona's Cowboy Jack's, which is also the "Hike Headquarters" for this year's event.

Colleen Weber, director of development for FPCV, said the organization is seeing an increased need for its services this year.

In 2024, FPCV-Beacon House served 36 families and 84 children, and provide 5,743 nights of shelter and 9,286 meals. In just the first five months of 2025, the organization has supported over 30 families and 92 children, Weber said.

While significant support is given by over 20 congregations – of all denominations, Bill noted – to provide meals for families, FPCV-Beacon House foots the bill for transitional housing and necessary items like diapers and hygiene (alongside donations from the public).

This year, event organizers hope to raise $35,000, which FCPV-Beacon House will be able to use "without strings attached," including on housing and supplies for its guests.

Hike for the Homeless is the organization’s largest yearly fundraiser. As an event volunteer, Bill has put significant effort into marketing and communication, and has seen a difference because of it.

“There’s about six organizations in Eau Claire that help the homeless community, and it’s really great what they do, but there’s only one that helps homeless children and families,” Bill said. “This year is special because we really focused on (ensuring people understand) what Beacon House does.”

This year, event organizers hope to raise $35,000, which FCPV-Beacon House will be able to use “without strings attached,” including on housing and supplies for its guests. With over 35 event sponsors already on board, the FPCV-Beacon House team is hopeful community members will also show their support by participating in the event.

The 22nd annual Hike for the Homeless benefit invites participants to walk part or all of the 2.8-mile route through River Prairie Park, where refreshments and activities – like gift basket prize drawings, a 50/50 raffle, a bubble machine, and team prizes – will also be offered. Online registration is encouraged, though day-of registration will also be available.

Learn more about Family Promise of the Chippewa Valley-Beacon House online • Register online for this year's Hike for the Homeless, slated for Tuesday, Aug. 19