There's only weeks left before the walk begins.  I'm getting anxious to begin this journey for a number of reasons.  Over the past 2 years I've had the privilege of meeting so many great individuals that share the concern about hunger in Minnesota and how it should not exist!  And having so many come to the plate with their support and donations makes me proud!
  There are a few things that concern the wife and myself in regards to the first week on the road.  Where to find a place to end our day with a plug in for our accommodations.  I'm hoping that Mike will have some information when I travel to International Falls one more time prior to the walk beginning.  And making contacts with the local media as we take on each day.  But all these questions will find answers as we get closer to August 2nd.
  I want to take this opportunity to thank those Unions that have responded to the letter sent out by the State AFL-CIO.  The United Steel Workers, Electrical Workers, Boilermakers, Communications Workers and all stepping up to show a strength and solidarity.  You make me proud!  
  I've approached the local radio and television here in the Twin Cities and gotten a response from some but await all to join in this effort.  We hear so many things through the media as our daily lives move forward. Wouldn't it be great to hear about how all Minnesotans came together, joined hearts, and eliminated hunger here at home?
  For all that have supported my effort thus far, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  I promise to represent the goodness in each and every one of you as I walk those 300 miles!  And for anyone that has a question about their donation I have one answer.  Your donation will never be spent but remain in the Minnesota Miracle Ending Hunger Fund eternally.  Only the interest of those funds will be used to help the food shelves throughout the State of Minnesota.  The nest has been laid and holds the funds already donated.  Please help us make this effort one that will exemplify what can be done when we stand together with a common cause!!

  I had a busy week and need to comment on things.  I did speak to the Labor Assembly in Duluth last Thursday evening.  Dan O'Neill allowed me the minutes to update those in attendance but it wasn't enough time to get all the information to those present.  I wasn't able to ask if the Trade and Labor in Duluth, wanted to join me on August 17 when I walk through their town?  I truly believe that something great could be coordinated to benefit the hungry there.  But it's not in my hands.  I'm just the man walking the 300 miles and doing what he can to ask common Minnesotans to help end hunger here at home.  
  I made some great contacts on the way up to Duluth.  Holly in Pine City, Lynda in Stacy, Sam in Sandstone and Mark in Hinckley.  All were so receptive to what I'm doing and offered their support in any way possible.  I just love the compassion I find in small town Minnesota.  Just down to earth people with hearts larger than life!  I did not make a second trip to International Falls but will in July to speak to the Labor Assembly where the trek will begin.  On a final note, the Saint Paul City Council passed a "resolution" of support for the Minnesota Miracle.  I put their resolution on the "newsrelease" page on the home page.
  In ending this blog I'd like to thank all of those I've met in the past couple of weeks.  You make me feel that I'm not alone in fighting the hunger that exists here at home and make me feel like part of a huge family that cares about everyone!  And that's part of what makes life worth living and makes me proud to be a Minnesotan!!

  I apologize for the month without an update but I had been waiting for direction that never came.
And now there's been a small setback that I'll comment on when all has been said and done!  I have found strength with my Union that helped me put the hopes and dreams on the Atlantis shuttle 7 years ago and we're moving forward.  Once again I have Branch 28 of the Letter Carriers coming on board with more than just a donation.  They're helping with the final coordination of my effort to end hunger here at home.
  Joan and I made a road trip this past week and although rain was heavy, the individuals we met between Duluth and International Falls offered a blanket of support for the effort being put forth.
We found overwhelming support in Eveleth and Virginia with those we met and spoke with.  Steve with the Steel workers, Ginger who's been feeding her community for 30 years, and so many more.
All that have promised to help get the word out that we'll be walking through their communities in August and hope they'll join us in our effort to end hunger.
  We did find towns that map quest had us believing existed and don't or didn't have markers to acknowledge them, but we mapped out the distances for each day.  We still have to find a place to spend the nights for the first week, we may have to drive some distance to find them. Or I'll find some folks that will allow us to plug in at their homes.  Time will tell.  When we reached International Falls we were met by Mike, my man that's retiring in September, and knows everyone in town.  He brought us over to meet the Mayor and part of his crew and will be helping in creating the send off on August 2nd.  There's so many great individuals there that share the concern when it comes to hunger and eliminating it.  
  I do have a busy week ahead.  The City of Saint Paul is passing a resolution of support on Wednesday, then I'm speaking to the Labor Assembly in Duluth on Thursday, and the Labor Assembly in International Falls on Friday.  I'll come back with information on those meetings next week.  Before I end this blog I have to thank Coats RV in Forest Lake.  Sally the owner and her main man Dan have offered to lend us a vehicle for the trip!  This is huge!  We now don't have to worry about where we'll be sleeping.  They've taken that burden off my mind and I thank them from the bottom of my heart. 

  I had hoped to present the Minnesota Miracle at the Machinist Convention this weekend but they couldn't find room on their agenda.  I did make some good connections with both the Sheriffs office for Washington County and the Minnesota State Patrol.  I'm informing all of the municipalities about my walk through their counties and finding out about possible permits that may be necessary.  From what I'm been told, a permit wouldn't be necessary unless a large amount of people would be walking with me.  So I'm asking anyone that is looking ahead to August and wants to join me somewhere along the 300 miles, to please let me know.  Everyone is welcomed but I don't want anyone to be at risk.  If it turns out that we have a large number joining in the walk at any point, I want to protect them!
 
  The weather is changing and we're all grateful for it finally happening!  It's been a long winter that will surely go into the record books.  I'm now starting to actually walk more than a mile here and there.  Just couldn't do it when the temperatures were so far below zero. Now it's such a delight to breathe in the fresh air and start to strengthen the legs again.  Though I walked 12 miles every day while delivering mail for the Post Office around Como Lake, it's been a year since I retired and I do feel a little discomfort now.  But I'll be ready to go with a smile on my face and a cause that everyone understands.  Doing our best to end hunger in Minnesota!  

  I'd also like to throw out a request.  If anyone following the developement of the Minnesota Miracle, has any input or suggestions, please send them my way.  If there's an opportunity to speak to any organization or group that shares my conern or could help in any way, I'd like to hear from or your organization.  The next 4 months will fly by and the 30 day walk will begin.  So please join me if you can with either suggestions, comments, or guidance of any kind.  I'm now that little man drawing social security that still wants to make a difference!

  I've decided to change colors with today's comments for a couple of reasons.  During the past days I've begun to speak with the counties that I'll be walking through this August.  But it's not the counties that have impressed me, it's the personalities of those individuals in charge.  They've made me feel like family with the same concern.  Making sure all Minnesotans don't feel hunger!  I now have a list of all of the towns I'll be walking through, the miles in between them, and their locations.  I'll have it on my web site shortly.
  Another huge step is coming on Friday!  I've raised enough in donations to create the "donor advisory fund" with the St. Paul Foundation and a meeting with the professionals is about to take place.  We will now start the "Perpetual Fountain of Food"!  And I ask all to remember that the donations being made are responsible for the flow of that fountain and I hope that it surpasses what we're going to see with the rising tempertures this spring!  It's been a hard winter for us all but the residents of Minnesota know how to handle anything thrown our way!  We're some of the toughest people on the face of the earth!  And don't you forget it!

  Another meeting is scheduled for this Friday, the 28th of February which will include all of those from the AFL-CIO and 2 guests.  Hopefully they'll accept my determination on who will benefit from the funds raised with the Minnesota Miracle.  The Food Shelves throughout Minnesota.
  I'd like to take some moments to reflect on another purpose behind my effort.  And I thank God that I've been reminded by the children, that this journey has more implications than just raising money!  I received a letter from the teacher of a 6th grade class in International Falls, asking if they could be a part of the first day of the 300 mile journey.  It's not the only one I've received from those that wish to become involved but I'd like to share a sentence from this one.  This teacher writes: Throughout the year my 6th grade class has been working in the community doing some service learning.  Your trip and cause would be a great opportunity to take our service project to a larger scale and I feel it would be very empowering for my students.  I'm wondering  how you envision our role in your project?  Let me know and I'll line things up on my end!  Thank you.
  For the past few months I've been involved in the business behind my effort and learning about all that's necessary for a task so large.  One of my fine friends said something, that although I didn't want to hear, is part of life.  If it was that easy, everyone would be doing it!  But my heart was touched by that 6th grade teacher and her students.  They reminded me about another part of this endeavor that's so important.  Minnesotans coming together and putting forth their finest effort to join hands with a common cause!  It's not so much about whether we'll reach our fundraising goal, that's in the hands of those that can afford to give, but to show all involved what can be accomplished when we work together.  Thanks kids for keeping me on track!

  A huge change has been made for the Minnesota Miracle.  On February 17th I was met by 12 individuals that want to lend their assistance in making the miracle a reality for all of those feeling hunger in Minnesota.  They're calling themselves an "advisory committee" but in my mind, they're a God send!  At the meeting we discussed necessary steps that have to be taken to ensure a success as well as those that have to made to protect all that become involved.  You see I'm merely a man with the desire to serve my community and give back for the blessings in my life.  It takes so much more to coordinate the effort I've begun than I'd imagined.  But I'm back in school with some of the finest teachers I could ask for.  Those people that know how to handle something of this dimension that have both the professional skills and the compassion I needed to come on board and help guide me.
  The biggest change that has been decided on was the dates of the walk.  And all participants agreed on the change.  Now we have 5 months instead of 2 before I begin the 300 mile walk.  The time necessary to arrange so many things.  I've already received emails from some of the schools along the choosen route to involve their children and towns.  The route for my walk hasn't changed so solidity remains on the pathway.  I'll begin on August 2nd and end at the State Fair grounds on Labor Day.  And what better way to show working Minnesota coming together to end hunger on that day!
  We've also created a facebook page that can be seen either through Minnesota Miracle 2014 or by coming to the web site and directed accordingly.  I'd like to impress on all that are following this effort that I'm not looking for the number of hits the facebook page gets.  I'm asking everyone that views it on facebook or my web site, to make a donation. If you do it through Second Harvest Heartland on-line you can print out your tax deductable statement at the same time.  If you choose to write a check and send it to Minnesota Miracle 175 Aurora St. Paul, Minnesota 55103 your canceled check will serve as well.
  I'll end this blog asking everyone to help your neighbors with the white blanket that's about to cover most of Minnesota!  Especially the elderly that don't have the strength they used to.  We call need to help one another!!!