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Family rollerblading for charity

Photo

Photo by Kyle Bursaw

Gary Walters, left, along with his son Jackson, right, will be roller blading from Minnesota to Washington D.C. Gary's daughter Jessica will bike the route with them. The family is doing the trip to raise money and awareness for the Kinship Partners youth mentoring program.

JANESVILLE — Each summer continues “the annual tradition of craziness” for the Walters family of Brainerd, Minn.

During the past six years, Gary Walters has walked across Minnesota, lived for nine days in a water tower and lost 100 pounds all to support child mentor programs.

But this summer has been by far the toughest challenge: rollerblading from Minnesota to Washington D.C.

“I just never assumed it would be this hard, but I’d do it again in a second if it gets mentors for kids,” Walters, 43, said.

Accompanied by his son Jackson, 15, on rollerblades, daughter Jessica, 14, on a bike and wife, Lisa, driving the “support SUV,” Walters began the seventh day of his trip in Janesville on Thursday.

Lisa follows behind her husband and children at about 8 mph with a flashing orange light on top of the car to alert drivers.

Most people have been courteous, but Lisa said she wouldn’t hesitate to pull her family into the car if a situation got dangerous.

“My family’s safety is the most important thing to me, and if there’s a sign of lightning or I think some terrain is too tough, I don’t hesitate to speak up,” she said.

Gary wears knee and elbow pads to protect himself in case of falls. All three wear helmets and reflective vests.

The family has navigated rocky shoulders, large hills and kept going through pouring rain. Gary has plenty of injuries to show for the rough terrain: his left leg is covered in scratches, and a fall bruised his hip.

But the family is still hoping to reach the capital by Sept. 9 and visit a few landmarks before they climb into the Suburban together and head back to Minnesota.

The trip is about raising awareness for all mentor programs, not just the Kinship Partners group in Brainerd, Gary and Lisa said.

“If you want to support me, then give money to a local group or volunteer,” Gary said. “If I hear stories about people joining their local Big (Brothers/Big Sisters) program, this will be worth it.”