Emily Provost ’17 spent the final eight days of her summer vacation walking. While all other 2,000 students were hitting the beach, packing their belongings, and getting on the road for Saint Anselm, Emily and 42 others walked 130 miles to reach the school.

This year was the 18th annual Road for Hope, which the college describes as “a modern day pilgrimage” from Lewiston, Maine to Manchester, New Hampshire. With new sneakers on their feet, 20-pound backpacks, and incredibly high morale, the group set off on a journey that they would never forget.

Between August 20 and August 27 the students paraded along back roads and highways for fifteen to twenty miles a day with Saint Anselm’s Abbot Matthew Leavy, a retired abbot and a well-known religious leader at the college, by their side.

Road for Hope walked in support of a different charity each day. All 9 charities are located in Maine or New Hampshire, where the walk took place. The walkers had to fundraise $500 each to donate toward the charities, and some fundraised even more.

They did not just raise money, though. They raised hope, which is the goal that they were hand-picked to accomplish. The walkers raised hope for the children of the Kid’s Café, the people of Upreach Therapeutic Riding Center, and the children who will have a brighter future because of the Candia School Drug Awareness Program.

In addition to those charities, six more were thankful to benefit from the service event as well.

“Some days it was hard to ever see the finish line coming,” Provost remembered. “But watching a group of strangers turn into a family over the course of eight days was incredibly humbling.”

In just one week, the feelings of the walkers turned from angst to excitement as the group grew closer and the miles passed. Upon reaching their destination, the 43 students could bond over the fact that they had just achieved an immense accomplishment and overcome a great struggle.

Although there were several swollen feet, aching knees, and sore backs, all that Provost can remember is the laughter and good memories she made along the way.  130 miles, 43 friendships, 8 days, 9 charities, 25,000 dollars, all created one family within the Saint Anselm community.