Published: July 04, 2009 10:36 pm      

Going the Distance

Youth walking across Kentucky to raise money for a good cause

Folks who noticed the small group of young people walking on U.S. 27 through Pulaski County Friday afternoon might not be aware of what they were actually seeing. But those who had the opportunity to speak with them learned that they were witnessing a multi-faceted story in the works.

This story’s got action. It’s got goodwill. It’s got laughter mixed with pain — and it’s even got a little romance.

It all started last summer, when Falmouth, Ky., resident and University of Kentucky student Courtney Cox volunteered to work in Uganda for three months. While she was there, she found more than just a good cause. She also found Robbie Beattie, a Nottingham, England, resident who was on a 6-month mission. Enter romance.

Courtney returned to Kentucky last year not only missing Robbie, but also wishing she could return to Uganda to continue helping the people there.

But how, on a college student’s budget, would she ever be able to return?

Not one to let a small detail like cash flow hold her back, Courtney gathered a few of her friends and organized Empower Walk: World, LLC, a non-profit organization with a goal of raising funds to help send Courtney, Robbie and fellow UK student Christa Mueller back to Uganda in the summer of 2010.

Their fundraising technique? Walking. Across Kentucky.

Robbie came to Kentucky from England to join Courtney on her walk. Christa also joined in, bringing with her her sister, Becky Mueller, who is a student at Virginia’s Radford University. Courtney’s friend Sean Ehlman, a UK student from Independence, Ky., also lent his support.

Since June 26, the five — who range in age from 20 to 24 — have been walking more than 20 miles each day on South U.S. 27, starting on the Ohio River in Newport, passing through Lexington, and, Friday, through Somerset, on their way to their final destination: The Tennessee state line in McCreary County.

The group expects to reach the end of its road on Monday.

Each night, the travelers have been staying with various family members or with friends of friends who have emerged as hosts through the “grapevine,” Courtney said.

“Last night, we stayed at somebody’s lake house on Lake Cumberland,” Sean said.

Some drivers ask the travelers if their vehicle has broken down. Others see their T-shirts and toot their horns or give them a friendly wave.

Kentucky’s Southern hospitality has provided a bit of a culture shock to Robbie.

“People in England are so polite, but they’re polite in a negative way,” he noted.

“They tend to mind their own business.”

Many times, people along the journey will hand the group their pocket change or write them a check.

“We were eating in Arby’s one day, and this family gave us a dollar,” Courtney said. “That was all they had to give us.”

Some restaurants have provided the young people with free meals.

In Pulaski County, the group stopped at Eubank’s Ruckel’s Restaurant for lunch and a much-needed rest.

There, patrons and a waitress gave them money — and Robbie was given a bag of ice for his sore knee. The other members of the group have experienced sore muscles and a few blisters, but, overall, they’re holding up well.

The weather has been “perfect,” they said.

“It’s surprising how mentally exhausting this can be,” Becky said.

“Ipods help,” Christa added.

When members of the group return to Uganda, they hope to begin what they call “empowerment projects” — things that will help the natives “better themselves.”

“The people there don’t want handouts,” Robbie said. “They just want a helping hand.”

By Friday afternoon, the group had covered some 130 miles of Kentucky roadway. By Monday, they’ll have walked approximately 175 miles.

Luckily, Courtney’s mother will be waiting to drive them the 175 miles back to Newport.

To make a donation or to learn more about the group, write to: Empower Walk World, LLC, 1577 Hwy. 159 N., Falmouth, Ky., 41040, or e-mail: empowerwalkworld@live.com.