500,000 steps later
When I "created" Old Man Walking in September, I really didn't think through the idea of walking six kilometers a day for 151 consecutive days, ending on my 70th birthday, nor did I have any idea of what the public reaction would be.
As of today, I have walked 73 consecutive days and have completed 438 kilometers (from Whitefish past Spokane). Visit online at www.twitter.com/oldmanwalking70 for daily updates. I've also taken more than 500,000 steps.
If I can make it to my birthday in late February, I will have walked to Seattle and Tacoma going west and Williston, N.D., going east. My body has adjusted to everyday walks, but my feet and ankles are still not happy!
What has happened every day has been the biggest story for me. People have started waving (women) and honking (men) and that puts a spring in my step. But the most exciting part has to do with the response to the fundraising aspect of my walk.
We need to pay off the Whitefish Middle School auditorium by re-raising the $700,000 in pledges we have lost. I have presently received $40,000 in checks, cash and pledges and hope to grow that total to $100,000.
Here are a few stories about how I've received some of the money. I was stopped on Central by a woman who said, "Stop, I want to give you a donation." She opened her purse and gave me a $1 bill. She added that every time she sees me in the future, I'll get another buck.
One day as I crossed Second Street south of the school, a driver stopped, rolled down her window and handed me $10. This past Sunday a young woman drove by me on Dakota Avenue, turned her car around, rolled down the window and said, "I put on my ski jacket yesterday and found $10 from last year in the pocket. I want you to have it."
Our chimney sweep called me over to his car on First Street and wrote out a check for $100.
This is why I walk each day and also why Carol and I live in this valley. Great people are always willing to help a great cause.
However, the most touching moment was when the Glacier Symphony and Chorale Board of Directors chipped in as a group to give Old Man Walking a check for $2,700. Here is a non-profit struggling to raise money for itself, donating to another struggling non-profit which is in worse shape. I cannot thank Alan Satterlee and his board enough for coming to our aid. The Glacier Symphony is one of the valley's greatest assets.
That's my update and, yes, the auditorium still needs your support. Remember that you are paying less property taxes because no tax money was used to refurbish the auditorium.
Please send any checks, cash or stock to Middle Auditorium Project, P.O. Box 4225, Whitefish MT 59937 or call 862-7591 to make a pledge. Pledges to Old Man Walking will be billed in March 2010 after I quit walking.
Richard Atkinson lives in Whitefish.