Ohio woman stops in Naples in walk across the country to bring awareness to poor, homeless

from Naples News

By TRACY X. MIGUEL

Kim Denmark is on a pilgrimage.

Denmark, 46, has been walking since 1999 across the United States to raise awareness about the plight of the poor and homeless in America.

Starting from her hometown of Dayton, Ohio, Denmark has walked about 264,000 miles so far through 16 states in a quest to reach 49 states, ending in Washington, D.C.

She spent Tuesday walking about 8.3 miles through Naples, starting at Collier Boulevard and U.S. 41 East, heading west along U.S. 41 and ending at the Naples mayor’s office on Eighth Street South.

Many motorists honked their horns in support of Denmark along with her small group of supporters, who walked beside her.

Customers at Trixie’s Torpedo Sandwiches on Eighth Street South near Fifth Avenue South cheered.

Denmark, who carried an orange sign that read “Walking for welfare reform, homeless poor,” said she is trying to get Congress to focus on the working class who struggle to live “paycheck to paycheck.”

“I think we do a lot for Third World countries. Denmark said. “I think we should do a little more here in America for the working poor.”

Last week, Denmark, who has spent the past 78 months walking, trekked through the Everglades on U.S. 41.

It was her first encounter with alligators.

“I was crying and running,” said Denmark, who walks about 10 miles a day.

During Denmark’s visit, Naples Mayor Bill Barnett delivered a proclamation to honor her efforts in raising awareness about poverty, declaring May 27 “Kim Denmark Day in the city of Naples.”

“It’s amazing,” Barnett said. “It’s hard to fathom.”

“It’s inspiring to see someone living out her commitment to help people out,” said Van Ellison, director of St. Matthew’s House, a homeless shelter on Airport-Pulling Road.

Ellison hopes others use Denmark’s dedication as an example.

Between Jan. 24 and 25, 2008, officials counted 495 homeless people and people who were at risk of becoming homeless in Collier County.

Following the presentation, Denmark visited St. Matthew’s House.

Among the many homeless residents at the shelter was Tony Morel, 57.

Morel came to St. Matthew’s two months ago after losing his Bonita Springs home due to his wife’s hospital bills. He also lost his job after taking a leave of absence to take care of his dying wife.

He had nothing but praise on Tuesday for Denmark’s actions.

“I think it’s amazing that someone would take all this time to walk for poverty,” he said.

Through her journey, Denmark said many homeless people she has spoken with have become homeless because of alcohol and drug addictions, a mental health condition or a catastrophic event in their lives.

Denmark said she had a spiritual encounter while she was ill that told her to walk for change.

Through a dream, Denmark said God showed her how “arrogant and nasty” she was with others.

The former business owner dropped everything 24 hours after the dream and began to walk, losing everything she owned and also becoming homeless herself, she said.

During her trips, Denmark visits homeless shelters and soup kitchens to encourage the needy and takes her message to churches, civic groups, city commissions and even pedestrians.

“There are a lot of nonprofits that need more funding to help the homeless,” Denmark said.

During her trip in Florida, Denmark recalled a hit-and-run accident by a truck driver early in February in Vero Beach.

“I’ve had some good days and some challenges, but through it all, you can maintain a smile,” said Denmark, who is on her 21st pair of tennis shoes.

A security minivan follows her throughout the journey.

Denmark plans to end her trip in 2012 in Washington, D.C., where she hopes to address Congress and give members a petition asking that they promote new jobs, quality education and opportunity for economics and social stability.

She has more 264,000 signatures so far, Denmark said, and hopes to have 1 million by the time she passes through 49 states en route to Capitol Hill.

Denmark plans to relax and enjoy Naples and then start walking toward Fort Myers.

Over the past few days she has been lodging at Bayfront Inn. Denmark said she used to stay at shelters, but changed to locally sponsored hotels because she needed quiet and resting time.

For information about the walk, visit Denmark’s Web site at www.kimdenmark.org.