MilesForMeals: Monson, ME

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Monson, ME

Maine has been tough! The southern part of the state was super tough, with tons of rocks and roots and mud and steep terrain. There have been some beautiful views though, like Saddleback and the Bigelows and Bald Pate. I caught up with my group of friends that I lost in Hanover in Stratton, ME and have been hiking with them for the past several days. The terrain in central Maine hasn't been too bad. It's been mostly flat with some small climbs. Monson is the last town the trail hits before the northern terminus at Katahdin, and we are all staying in a hostel here in town. Only 115 miles to go!

P.S. Thanks to everyone who has kept me in their thoughts or left encouraging words in the comments. I have read all of them and they have been an amazing source of strength to keep pressing on to the final goal. Thank you!!

3 comments:

Kristy LiedtkeJune 21, 2012 at 5:08 PM
Clay - You're almost there! Keep up the good work! We are praying for you and forever grateful for all that you've done for Yellowstone. I wish we could all be there to cheer you on over the finish line!
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Apriel WestmorelandJune 22, 2012 at 9:10 AM
Wow, what an awesome job you are doing for our kids. Keep pressing towards the mark, you are almost there!

Blessings,
Apriel Westmoreland
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AnonymousJune 23, 2012 at 11:01 PM
Clay- You have no doubt been in our prayers the whole way. I know you know how amazing this venture has been to follow for us all. You have been an inspiration to us all and the Yellowstone kids especially I am sure.
Thanks much for all this.
Robert
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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.

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Monson, ME

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