Donate to PATC's Celebration of Service Campaign

Help us celebrate longtime members and volunteers like John Hedrick by donating to our Celebration of Service campaign. Keep scrolling to read John's story.

Selfless service and commitment have been the hallmarks of John Hedrick's life and career. In December, John is stepping down for the last time asn an elected officer of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club. For more than 26 years, John has set an unmatched

example of leadership of and involvement in the most important aspects of our organization.

Over the last three decades, John, who is a retired Brigadier General with the United States Army, has been one of PATC’s most dedicated members; having served at various times as the club’s President, Vice President of Operations, Supervisor of Trails, Supervisor of Facilities, a District Manager, a Corridor Monitor, a Ridgerunner, a crew chief, a shelter maintainer, and both a blue blaze and AT trail maintainer.

John truly exemplifies PATC’s passionate commitment to maintaining and protecting the trails we all love, and it is through the hard work and the support of members like John (and you) that we can continue this vital work. Your membership and support not only connect you to a community of outdoor enthusiasts but also helps provide essential resources for trail maintenance, education, and outreach programs.

As we look to the future, we invite you to consider making a donation to honor John’s years of service to PATC by helping us continue to support our mission. Whether it's a one-time gift or you wish to set up a recurring contribution, your generosity will directly impact our ability to protect the trails and lands we all care so much about and ensure that they remain accessible for everyone.

We hope you will help us celebrate and honor the example set by John, as we continue to protect and preserve these amazing trails and our special piece of the great outdoors.

Thank you for your continued support,