Iraq war veteran Troy Yocum is taking to the streets to raise awareness about the issues facing low-income military families, proving that one man is all it takes to care for a cause.
Walking across the country as part of the Hike For Our Heroes, an effort to support these struggling military families, Yocum’s cross-country trek has most recently led him and his small team, including trail dog Emmie, to Raleigh.
According to Yocum, he expects his journey to last 16 months and pass through 31 states in the hopes of raising upwards of $5 million. He is nearing the 6000 mile marker—or over 31 million steps, as a live counter on the hike’s website reads. He has also partnered with the Wish Upon a Hero Foundation, a charity that has provided him with transportation, marketing and planning.
Yocum spent the past week traveling east through the states recently ravaged by tornados, listening to the stories of families affected around Fort Bragg—an area Yocum said was heavily crippled, leaving a profound impact.
“All the trees were snapped to pieces,” Yocum said. “It was one of the craziest things I’ve seen on the trip so far.”
Since the start of his journey in Louisville, KY, Yocum has raised over $180,000 to help 40 military families, according to Mike Bowman, lead volunteer for Hike for Our Heroes.
Yocum said he found his inspiration for the project while helping a fellow veteran and friend who lost his job after Yocum returned home from Iraq.
“He was struggling a lot,” Yocum said. “When I found out that war veteran suicides and unemployment are at an all time high, I felt like I needed to spread the awareness.”
The idea, which started small, grew quickly as Yocum looked at maps and started planning out a route. After helping his friend and contacting charities, Yocum said he then discovered the immense financial assistance needed by military families.
In addition to raising money for military families, Yocum took time to enjoy a Durham Bulls game, chat and walk with locals in Pullen Park, and meet with a representative from the Raleigh Governor’s office concerning the National Day for the Deployed.
Yocum said he plans to cross into Virginia within the next few days, and said the journey’s success has also inspired him to plan additional hikes.
“We realized that walking in the big cities leads to the big donations,” Yocum said. “We’re hoping to get back on the road in 2012 for more creative events.”
