I'M BACK! You may be wondering, why run Cocodona again?
Honestly, I just wanted to try it the first time. That’s where it started — not for recognition, not to prove anything, just to see what I was capable of. But along the way, it turned into something much bigger than I expected.
I learned more from it than I ever thought I would — not just about endurance, but about myself, about resilience, about the people around me. It demanded more from me than I thought I had, and somehow, I still found a way to keep moving. It brought people together. Not just during the race, but after.
The impact didn’t end at the finish line. Others saw what happened and used it as fuel for their own paths, their own versions of hard. I never meant for it to get attention. I wasn’t doing it for the spotlight. I just wanted to try. But I’m coming back because there’s still something in it for me — something I’m still chasing, still trying to understand. And maybe that’s the point.
Help me in supporting The Hopi Foundation for Cocodona 2026! What is the Hopi Foundation?
The Hopi Foundation's mission is outlined in their name "Lomasumi'nangwtukwsiwmani" and signifies a community process of furthering unity of aspiration which blossoms into full maturity over time. The Hopi Foundation has acted on this vision of self-sufficiency, self-reliance and local self-determination to engage in proactive participation toward our own destiny as a community. Locally, we refer to this practice as "itam naapyani", meaning to do the work ourselves.
There are several ways the Hopi Foundation helps support the Hopi and Tewa community. Current community projects include:
Hopi Leadership Program – “Growing A New Generation of Hopi Leaders & Professionals”, through a 15-month program established in 2006, HLP provides instructional leadership strategies to help local leaders grow, expand, and survive transitions in leadership and build sustainable operations to more effectively provide resources and services to the Hopi community.
HOPI Substance Abuse Prevention Center – “We believe in honoring ourselves by living an honest, sober balanced life.” Established in 2003, the Center provides mentoring services to individuals of all ages as well as prevention education within the community.
KUYI 88.1 FM Hopi Radio - Established in 2000, KUYI became the first radio station on the Hopi Reservation to provide access to information on local issues, weather and public safety, local sports broadcasting, and tribal music, language and culture. KUYI streams online worldwide at www.kuyi.net
Natwani Coalition - "Working towards preserving and Restoring the healthy food system and agriculture traditions of the Hopi and Tewa People" Established in 2004, the Natwani Coalition hosts the Hopi Food and Agricultural Symposium every two years, provides technical assistance to local farming projects, along with grants to local farmers and recently launched a local traveling exhibit of historic farming photos.
The Wander Project Tax ID number is: 83-1778644
Offline Payment Instructions
If you would like to donate to this fundraiser offline please follow the directions below to ensure it supports their charity bib.
**Please note all mailed checks, matching gifts, or donor directed funds must be made out to Wander Project. Once we receive them they will be added to their fundraiser for this designated charity. Please include the first and last name of the fundraiser you are supporting so we can ensure your donation is matched to the correct person.
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Wander Project is a U.S. tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the furthest extent of the law. Tax ID 83-1778644
