By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
Change begins with the first step. It’s a motto Kim Denmark lives everyday.
Nearly eight years ago, Denmark was a successful business owner.
“I was very successful. But I turned my back on the community,” she said.
Denmark had what she calls a spiritual encounter and was “given a second chance.”
Denmark became sick and when she eventually got well, she told God she would do what he asked. He told her to walk.
And walk she did.
She left her job and home in Ohio and now walks to bring awareness to homeless and welfare issues in America.
She began her journey 82 months, 16 states, more than 3,000 miles and 21 pairs of shoes ago in Dayton, Ohio.
She’s covered the northeastern part of the United States, the north and now she’s walking through the southern states.
Along the way, she stops to talk to city officials, but also the homeless.
“I want it to become contagious,” she said of her message.
Her message is simple ó “what little you have, share it and watch it come back.”
Denmark is easy to spot. She always wears a bright orange jacket and scarf on her head and carries an American flag over her shoulders.
Also draped over her is a sign that reads ‘Kim is…Walking Across America.’
In many of the states she’s walked, people honk or stop for a hug. Others want to know what they can do to help.
She stopped on her walk Friday to speak with two women who came to her for a hug.
Before they left, she gave them advice on how they could help the homeless in this area.
She urged them not to just toss out money to a homeless person, instead buy them a bottle of water, a granola bar, some warm gloves or a hat.
There are people out there who have the resources to help a struggling family, she said.
She’s even found housing for some families through her travels.
Denmark simply asks. She’s found property owners who agreed to furnish housing for families at no cost for a year.
“America is beautiful. Everybody wants to help, they just don’t know how,” she said.
On her jacket are the names of people she’s met who have asked Denmark to “take my name with you.”
Scattered over the jacket are good luck messages and many names.
Each day, Denmark covers 28 to 31 miles, taking time to rest after dark and grab a bite to eat.
Many hotels along her route have sponsored her for a night’s stay, she said.
She will stay at the Comfort Suites in Salisbury Friday night.
Denmark will end her trek Tuesday in Washington on the day millions gather to see President-elect Barack Obama sworn into office.
She hopes to sit down with Obama or someone from his administration to begin talking about the plight of the homeless in America.
“I take pride in what I’m doing,” she said.
Denmark wants Obama to listen to how she wants to help the homeless.
Although Denmark would like to gain support from Obama and his administration, her ultimate goal is to buy a vacant hospital in Chicago.
The empty facility has 366 beds that she would like to use exclusively for homeless people and veterans who “come home and can’t find their way,” she said.
Denmark’s facility will cater to those veterans and homeless who struggle with mental health issues, drugs and alcohol.
The building costs $190 million.
Denmark said that amount is a drop in the bucket considering the country and its homeless.
“I’m just trying to do something about why they’re homeless and get to the root of it. I believe this hospital will assist,” she said.
Denmark recently passed through Charlotte and Kannapolis and is headed to Lexington next.
For more information about Kim Denmark, go to www.kimdenmark.org