MilesForMeals: Neels Gap, GA

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Neels Gap, GA

Today I made it to Neels Gap, GA ad am staying at the Mountain Outfitters hostel here. I left Springer Mountain, the southern terminus of the trail, yesterday and hiked 15 miles to the Gooch Mnt shelter, where I ended up bunking with about ten other hikers. I decided to stay in the shelter instead of camping because the temperature was supposed to be below freezing, and the shelter would provide better protection from the wind. I wasn't counting on snoring though, and I didn't get much sleep with four epic snorers in the shelter with me. Today the weather was pretty but cold, and I had to stay pretty bundled up for most of the hike. I got in to Neels Gap at around 2pm after summiting Blood Mountain, where I could see the Atlanta skyline on the horizon. Tomorrow will hopefully be my first twenty mile day!

3 comments:

robert zFebruary 25, 2012 at 10:45 PM
Great you are off and running. Sorry not to post a encouraging word earlier. Take care and God speed Clay. I will be following your progress.
Robert
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AnonymousFebruary 26, 2012 at 10:57 AM
Clay,
I am an '82 graduate of Jesuit and will be following your travels. I live in Virginia and have always wanted to do what you are doing. I will live vicariously though you. If you need any provisions I'll be happy to bring some out to you. I live right outside of DC so as you make your way up through Northern Virgina towards Maryland I will be around. Enjoy the experience!
Greg Thornton
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Clay DaltonMarch 1, 2012 at 2:32 PM
Thanks for the offer and for the encouraging words Greg!
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About this project

In February of 2012, I will embark on a five month trek from Springer Mountain, Georgia, to Mount Katahdin, Maine along the entirety of the Appalachian Trail to benefit Yellowstone Academy. Yellowstone was created in July 2001, for the purpose of establishing a Christian private school exclusively serving low-income children in Houston’s inner city. Yellowstone was founded on the belief that, through quality education, children living in poverty can transcend their circumstances and grow up to become responsible, productive adults. The school exclusively serves children from very low-income families with a program that provides and nurtures the educational, spiritual, social, and practical resources that every person needs to succeed in life.

Listed below is the profile of the 320 students and their families that were served by Yellowstone in 2010-2011:

 100% of admissions from low-income families

 87% from families living in poverty

 $8,088: Median family annual income

 93% live in single parent households

 95% of students are African American

Although many take it for granted, there are those living in Houston, in the shadow of downtown, who are not sure where their next meal will come from. Yellowstone serves these children. They live in extreme poverty and need a school like Yellowstone to provide them with the resources they need to thrive. The School Meal Program is the largest single item in the budget, other than salaries. Here is a breakdown of the costs associated with the meal program for the 2011-2012 academic year:

 Total Cost of Meals Program: $374,046.00

 Average annual cost per student: $1,002.80

 Average cost per student per day: $5.45

I encourage you to help me make a very real difference in the lives of the children enrolled at Yellowstone Academy by making a generous donation to this cause. 100% of the proceeds from the hike will benefit student meals at Yellowstone. Each donation is fully tax-deductible under Yellowstone’s 501(c) 3 status, and all donors will have a tax receipt verifying their generous donation to Yellowstone Academy returned to them as quickly as possible. If you would like to make a donation to support this important cause, please make checks out to “Yellowstone Academy” with “Miles for Meals” in the memo line and send to 1126 Riverbend, Houston, TX 77063. Donations can also be online through a secure link here. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have. Anything you are willing to donate will be greatly appreciated, as no amount is too small.

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Neels Gap, GA

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