About the Trails of Hope Mission
Our Mission
Trails of Hope exists to strengthen and uplift our community through essential community support for families facing childhood illness, crisis, and hardship. Through purposeful events and impactful fundraising initiatives, we turn community involvement into meaningful change by providing resources, relief, and most importantly, hope when it is needed the most.
Support the Trails of Hope Mission Today
Your generous donations help us provide essential services and community support to those facing childhood illness. Join us in our fundraising initiatives to make a difference in our community. Every contribution counts, no matter the size. Together, we can create lasting change.
The Heart Behind the Haunt: Our Trails of Hope Mission
A glimpse at just some of our impact
2025 Causes
Special Needs Playground
Special Needs Playground
Through our Trails of Hope and Haunters with a Heart fundraising initiatives, Lake Joy Trails of Terror continues to raise money to support community support for Hannah Bennett and Ja'Ziyah 'Sassy Jazz,' who are both facing childhood illness.
Special Needs Playground
Special Needs Playground
Special Needs Playground
Lake Joy Trails of Terror donated $5000 to support community support efforts in building a special needs playground for Lake Joy Elementary School, helping children affected by childhood illness.
Kayleigh McCormick
Special Needs Playground
Kayleigh McCormick
Kayleigh was diagnosed with a childhood illness, Leukemia. Thanks to the community support through fundraising initiatives at the Haunts in 2024, Lake Joy Trails of Terror was able to donate $15,000 for her medical expenses.
Anthony Grimes
Special Needs Playground
Kayleigh McCormick
In 2023, Lake Joy Trails of Terror, through its Trails of Hope Mission, sponsored a child battling leukemia as part of their commitment to community support. The fundraising initiatives associated with the haunt enabled them to donate $20,000 toward his medical expenses.
Gabby Tate
Phenix Cowart
Jace Carrita
In 2022, Lake Joy Trails of Terror, through its Trails of Hope Mission, demonstrated remarkable community support by sponsoring a young girl battling leukemia, a serious childhood illness. The funds raised through their fundraising initiatives enabled them to donate $10,000 toward her medical expenses.
Jace Carrita
Phenix Cowart
Jace Carrita
In 2019, Lake Joy Trails of Terror, through its Trails of Hope Mission, raised $10,000 as part of their fundraising initiatives to support community efforts aimed at helping a child facing a childhood illness—specifically, a child diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma, a cancer affecting the kidneys.
Phenix Cowart
Phenix Cowart
Phenix Cowart
In 2021, Lake Joy Trails of Terror, through its Trails of Hope Mission, sponsored a young woman diagnosed with AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia), a serious childhood illness and one of the fastest-acting forms of cancer. They raised funds through their community support initiatives and donated $20,000 toward her medical expenses as part of their fundraising initiatives.
2009-2018
Phenix Cowart
Phenix Cowart
Over the years, Lake Joy Trails of Terror has proudly supported numerous great causes, including the Susan B Komen Foundation and Jay's Hope. Our community support has enabled us to sponsor trips for families dealing with childhood illness and to help make dreams come true. With your continued help, our fundraising initiatives will allow us to keep making a difference!
Their stories and why we do what we do
Meet Hannah Bennett
Hannah is a beautiful, vibrant young woman who has been battling lupus since childhood. After a huge health scare entering high school, Hannah rallied like the warrior she is and became a star student, graduating with honors while also completing her associate's degree from Middle Georgia State College. Just as she was set to start her college career at Kennesaw State, she was struck with a virus that left her battling acute meningitis not once but twice due to her compromised immune system from lupus. These infections led Hannah into another fight with autoimmune encephalitis. All of Hannah’s treatments and multiple hospital stays are in Atlanta, an hour and a half away from where her family lives. Despite these challenges, Hannah remains a bright light to those who know and love her. With the support of her community and through various fundraising initiatives, we believe we can give her the opportunity to share her light with the rest of the world.
Meet "Sassy Jazz"
Jazz is Jay's Hope Sponsor child for this year. At just 13 years old, Ja’Ziyah “Sassy Jazz” Robinson embodies resilience beyond her years. Diagnosed with synovial sarcoma in October 2022, when she was only ten, she has courageously endured multiple treatments in her fight against this rare childhood illness. Despite everything, Ja’Ziyah dreams big—aspiring one day to become a criminal investigator. In quieter moments, she finds joy in reading, snuggling with her beloved stuffed animals, and cherishing time with her family. Her simple pleasures and strengths shine through in her love for skincare routines and shopping, reflecting a bright spirit determined to balance her brave journey with the sweet joys of childhood. Through community support and various fundraising initiatives, we aim to uplift children like Ja’Ziyah, helping them navigate their challenges while celebrating their dreams.
Trails of Hope Presents...
Lake Joy Trails of Terror
Lake Joy Trails of Terror was founded as part of the Trail of Hope mission, with one purpose in mind: to give back to the community. Scare actors volunteer their time to provide the best show possible, ultimately supporting fundraising initiatives that benefit those affected by childhood illness. This event serves as a main source of funding for the Trail of Hope mission, reinforcing the importance of community support.