The Mount Benson Legacy Group campaign to raise $500,000 towards the purchase of 500 acres on top of Mount Benson is on, and it's hundreds of Hidden Heroes, people like you and me, that will see this 500 acres turned into public parkland.

A few years ago when NALT led the $500,000 Linley Valley campaign, it took the support of a little over 1,300 people to reach the goal. Although corporate and government support played a major role, most of those donors were average people who donated small amounts each.

With the Mount Benson campaign, once again it's essential that the everyday people, people I call Hidden Heroes, that will have to lead the way. One source of potential government funding has indicated that they will be on side for a major donation if they see proof that the community is supporting the campaign. Several potential corporate donors are taking a similar stand.

So it's up to us to get the ball rolling and it's really pretty simple to do.

When I arranged to donate a small amount each month to be taken automatically out of my bank account, I was surprised to learn that I was the first person to make such an arrangement. It's a painless way to make a significant donation a little at a time. My monthly donation seems so small, I'm sure I won't miss it but at the end of three years it will definitely make a difference.

Taking my calculator in hand, I realized that if 500 Hidden Heroes donated just $5 a month over three years, and another 500 donated $10 a month, and just 320 people donated $20 a month, we wouldn't need government and corporate donations at all, we would buy that 500 acres of parkland all by ourselves.

Small donations really can make a BIG difference!

There are many reasons to save Mount Benson as a public park. For centuries it has been a popular destination for school, family and other community special events. Groups have climbed the mountain for picnics and weddings and "just because it is there." Many others have climbed to the top to spread the ashes of their loved ones, and of course it's an important backdrop as visitors approach our city from the east.

If you would like a first hand look at the mountain before you make your donation, you can join the weekly hikes to the top being organized by NALT. This is definitely not a "walk in the park" but people in their 70s and 80s have been able to make it. The hikes are led at the speed of the slowest hiker. Call 714-1990 to reserve your spot.

As you climb to the top, you'll go through some logged out areas, which will show you "up close and personal" why it's important to save this mountain as parkland. Fortunately most of these logged areas are behind a bluff and not visible from below.

This summer's Music for the Mountain Festival on July 16 at Beban Park will take the pressure off a number of our Hidden Heroes. Organizers expect this event alone to raise between $100,000 and $200,000 towards the purchase of the mountain parkland.

Blue Rodeo will headline the seven-hour event (4 pm to 11 pm). The complete line up will be announced in the next few says but if you are a blues/folk/country fan, you'll want to buy your tickets right now. They are available through the Port Theatre box office. General admission tickets are just $34, reserved seating is $69, and VIP tickets that will assure you seating in the first two rows are $99.