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Walking Lougheed Highway for Ruth and Naomi's

David Grandy hopes to raise $10,000 for the faith-based Ruth and Naomi's Mission of Chilliwack.
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David Grandy is walking from Hope to Mission and back

It's a good news story in tough times.

David Grandy is a resident of Ruth and Naomi's Step-Up program who has decided to give back during the season of giving.

A former street person, he's been across Canada, taking refuge in several shelters along the way.

"This fall he found his way to Chilliwack and more precisely, Ruth and Naomi’s Mission," said Bill Raddatz, executive director of Ruth and Naomi's. "He has enjoyed our Step-Up program so much and appreciated how it has assisted him in rebuilding his life that he feels it is now time to give back."

Here's how he is doing it: He left Hope on Saturday, Dec. 8 and will be walking from Hope to Mission along Highway #7, twice. On Monday he had made it to Deroche, and he figures it will take him about eight days maximum.

Grandy hopes to raise $10,000 for the faith-based Ruth and Naomi's Mission in the process.

"He has already walked up an 11 per cent grade hill in rain, sleet, wind and snow," he said. "The elements did not stop him."

"He is bound and determined to engage people to sponsor him on a pay-per-kilometre basis."

The "Step-up" program on the second floor of the new mission building offers supportive housing for up to 24 months to help homeless and addicted men get off the streets and reclaim their lives with the help of counselling.

If anyone is unable to donate on per kilometre basis but would like to contribute to the cause, they can visit the mission website at www.ruthandnaomis.ca or on Facebook.

The funds will go to Christmas hampers and gifts for the adults and kids who come to the mission's Christmas dinner on Christmas Day.

jfeinberg@theprogress.com

Twitter.com/chwkjourno



Jennifer Feinberg

About the Author: Jennifer Feinberg

I have been a Chilliwack Progress reporter for 20+ years, covering the arts, city hall, as well as Indigenous, and climate change stories.
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