The news of Jimmy Wayne's proposed new year's resolution may have gotten lost in the whirlwind of holiday preparations and celebrations. But, unlike most of us who are probably just vaguely vowing to "exercise more" or "be nicer"--Jimmy started his resolution promptly on the first day of 2010, and he's going to carry it out until it's done.
What's he up to? Glad you asked. He is actually exercising, and being nice! Not just talking about it. In fact, he's walking halfway across the United States, all in the name of charity. (Are you feeling ashamed of yourself yet?)
At 10 a.m. CT on January 1, Jimmy took off from his starting point of Nashville, and plans to walk to Phoenix, AZ. He'll be sleeping out-of-doors along the way. And yeah, it's pretty blasted cold out there right now!
However, he is taking this challenge on willingly to heighten awareness and understanding of the issues facing the homeless in America, as well as raise funds for charities benefiting homeless youth.
Jimmy, who was raised in the foster system and experienced homelessness as a teen, is matter-of-fact about his charitable endeavor. "It's going to be cold," he noted in a press release. "And that ground I sleep on at night is going to be really hard. But that's what the homeless are dealing with each and every winter they go without a home of their own. Our country is too great for us to have people who are suffering so."
He added that his concern for the homeless has grown along with the current shakiness of our economy. "I'm not asking people to come out and walk with me, but I am asking them to meet me halfway by getting involved," he said. "Donate money, adopt a kid, learn more about the foster child/foster parent program in your local community."
You can follow Jimmy's "Meet Me Halfway" campaign and get a firsthand account of his walk on his Twitter account, where he's already documented feeling sore, lonely, and--naturally--cold. As well as made a few wry observations, such as "Ummm, excuse me; I'm sleeping outside; what if I have to go?" (Heh.)
I'm getting a bit goose-fleshy just reading his tweets. But I'm also honestly feeling encouraged to turn off the football game, put away the potato chips, and go out and make some sort of difference in the world today.
Thanks, Jimmy, for getting me motivated! Congratulations on a wonderful start to 2010.
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