The family and friends of missing hiker Charles Hosch are working to bring him home before Christmas. To accomplish their goal, they have announced a “Major Search Weekend” set for this Saturday and Sunday.
Hosch went missing on Veterans Day while hiking the Appalachian Trail in Union County. The formal search mission was suspended Thanksgiving week, though the private search continues, with local first responders still assisting in targeted ways.
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Plans for this weekend include over 100 professional search-and-rescue personnel converging on the Blood Mountain area of the Appalachian Trail “for our largest coordinated effort yet.”
“On December 13-14, we are making one last major push to find our beloved Charles Hosch before the holidays,” the family said. “Multiple multistate search-and-rescue nonprofits and volunteers are joining our efforts to search Blood Mountain for Charles, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, Dallas attorney, SMU law professor, and friend to so many.
“Charles has been missing since November 11 after what should have been a short hike on a trail he’s known since childhood. We – his wife Beth, daughters Julia and Cat, son-in-law Adi, brother Heyward, law partner Kate Morris, and his infant granddaughter – are desperately hoping to bring him home for the holidays.”
Toward that end, the family is looking to fill many volunteer positions, including “hikers, runners, medical support, lunch/dinner chefs/pickup, drivers, phone support from trailhead, etc.” A link to volunteer will be available this week at https://www.bringcharleshome.com/.
“And second, we need your monetary support,” the family continued. “To thank these rescue heroes and support their efforts, we are raising funds for meals, lodging, and necessary equipment during their stay.”
The family has launched a fundraising account to support the ongoing search, a crucial step in keeping the search as active as possible. People looking to provide financial assistance may visit the main search website or go directly to https://gofund.me/ad1e71739.
“Should we raise more money than is needed for this weekend’s search, we will also send donations to the many incredible nonprofits who have assisted in the search so far,” the family said. “All of these services have been provided at no cost to our family, but at great expense to the organizations.
“We want to thank them for their time, their effort, and their bravery, and help them continue to save lives and assist other families in the future.”
The effort remains on a short timeframe right now, according to the family, “before the weather will stop us from being able to support daily searches safely.”
“This weekend is potentially our last and best hope at finding Charles, at least in this phase of our search,” the family said. “However, we are not giving up, and neither should you. Together, we can bring Charles home. And, your donations will allow these heroes to bring others’ lost family members home, too. Charles (Dad) would love that.
“We are so grateful for the overwhelming support of Charles’ community in Dallas (Texas), in North Georgia (Blairsville, Gainesville, Union County), and across the country who are supporting us through your prayers, your presence, your service, and now your gifts.
“Thank you for everything. And as Charles (Dad) says – we press on!”
Daily updates on the search for Hosch – “a teacher, a father, and an extraordinary man” – are available at www.bringcharleshome.com.
