A lot of us are already thinking about what our New Year’s resolutions will be. Most of us will vow to lose weight, stop smoking, start exercising or maybe find a better job. Well, Jimmy Wayne is one guy who thinks bigger than that.

On January 1^st, Jimmy will embark on a 1700-mile solo hike from Nashville, TN to Phoenix, AZ. His journey will raise money and awareness for a cause that’s very close to Jimmy’s heart: homeless and at-risk children, teens and young adults. Jimmy launched his “Meet Me Halfway” campaign because he knows all too well what it’s like to be in their shoes. He grew up in various foster homes and group homes, and as a teen, would occasionally find himself completely homeless. An elderly couple, Bea and Russell Costner, took him in off the streets when he was 16, long hair, tattoos and all. He never forgot their generosity, nor did he forget how it felt to have no place to go.

Jimmy says: “Because I was helped when I needed it, I want to try and help now. If the bit of celebrity I have can help me raise awareness of this situation, that there are kids and young people out there who need our help, then I feel like I have accomplished my goal.”

The recipient of Jimmy’s fundraising walk will be HomeBase Youth Services, an Arizona-based nonprofit organization that helps homeless and at-risk youth aged 21 and under. You can pledge Jimmy’s long trek or make an outright donation to the organization at www.hbys.org.

Jimmy’s journey will take him through Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and finally Arizona. He’ll have the clothes on his back, some camping gear, and that’s about it. Oh, and a camera phone, I’m sure, because Jimmy tends to document his every move on Twitter. His goal is to cover about 25 miles per day. He’s gonna have some tired tootsies!

“I'm not asking people to come out and walk with me, but I am asking them to meet me halfway by getting involved,” Jimmy says. “Donate money, adopt a kid, learn more about the foster child/foster parent program in your local community. There's so much one person can do, and so many ways they can make a difference. It just takes one person to help someone to a better life.”

Another of Jimmy Wayne’s favorite causes is the Angel Tree Program, which allows generous gift-givers anonymously buy presents for disadvantaged kids. Enjoy the video for “Paper Angels” here today.

Links:

www.jimmywayne.com

www.myspace.com/jimmywaynemusic

www.twitter.com/jimmywayne

Take It Easy,

Cricket

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