runtovote2008's blog

out of texas

 abuse

I wanted to share this story with you all. Amazing you think someone runs across the country once just because he believes he can and then takes on High School Students and knows they can. From a Parents point of view I was asked...How do you feel about allowing your 15 year old daughter go on the road for 2 months??? It is easy...I believe in Stephanie...she makes wise decisions and truly believes in this project/Team. She is well educated in defending herself so I do not worry. And my Faith in Mr Williams and Mrs Hineline...they will protect these Teens. This is a Family...maybe not by blood but by a love for this Country, Running, and Respect. ~Angel

Beilue: Road-tripping to recruit voters

Man comes through Panhandle again on missionBy Jon Mark Beilue
Column

Jon Mark Beilue / Amarillo Globe-News

Jonathan Williams of Stem, N.C., takes a break at Amarillo's Big Texan restaurant on Friday during his trek through the contiguous lower 48 states of the United States to register voters.

Jon Mark Beilue

"This time," he said, "it's a little bit faster and a lot less lonely."

Some have a weakness for chocolate, or golf, '58 Chevys or Elvis tunes. For Williams, it's hopscotching across the country, either alone with 50 pounds of supplies in a baby jogger, as he was three summers ago, or with four North Carolina high school students and another teacher on Friday, in a 1999 maroon Chevy Astro.

In 2005, Williams ran through 16 states and 3,000 miles, going from Newport Beach, Calif., to Newport, R.I., in four months and two days just to fulfill a challenging "can-I-do-it?" dream of discovery.

In 2008, the reason is a little more specific: to register voters for November's presidential election in the lower 48 states. He's now a civics and economics teacher at Granville Central High School in Stem, N.C.

Williams and world-history teacher Diane Hineline have enlisted three juniors and one sophomore to drive a used van 10,000 miles over 56 days through every state in the mainland to register voters and have those already registered pledge to vote.

It's called runtovote.com, and the running part comes in as Williams and the rest run one lap on a track - or a quarter mile - for each one who pledges or registers to vote. Through 13 days, 115 have been registered, 1,027 pledged to vote and 706 laps, or 176½ miles, have been run.

"The first time Mr. Williams told me about it, I thought it would be an amazing experience," said Itzamara Santillan, a junior. "My parents had planned a vacation to Europe, but I thought this would be a lot more important."

So here the group was, after some complimentary burgers at the Big Texan on Friday, setting up shop just outside the main entrance. They have nonpartisan information on John McCain and Barack Obama, national voter-registration forms and their own banner. There's also a huge sign people in 12 states have signed as a pledge to vote, and an encouraging word to passers-by about the importance of such.

It's a far cry from his last time through Amarillo. Making about 30 miles a day, Williams slept in backyards, on vacant baseball fields, in firehouses.

Coming through the Panhandle, he fought the heat and befriended Fran Houser at the Mid-Point Cafe in Adrian, stayed in Vega, Amarillo, Groom, McLean and Shamrock. It was a sense of deja vu Friday morning as the van toddled along from Oklahoma City.

"I remember all these places and the good will of so many people here," Williams said. "So many vivid memories of where I was and how I felt. We passed a bridge about 20 miles back and I remember staying under that in the extreme heat and not wanting to leave. My goodness, that Texas sun."

Williams would eventually appear on Letterman, CBS's "Early Show" and on the BBC. But life would return to somewhat normal, and he relocated to North Carolina where his fiancee was going to grad school. He decided to pursue teaching where he also coaches cross-country and track.

Sensing the importance of the 2008 election, Williams wanted to combine two of his interests - government and running - into a cause. Originally, he thought of running solo again, from Florida to Maine to promote voting. Then Hineline suggested local involvement and more people.

"All our students are under 18 and can't vote, but it's a way to be part of the election while also making a statement about obesity among kids," Williams said.

Hineline got a good deal on a used van for $3,500. It's got 112,000 miles and since leaving Raleigh, N.C. on June 14, so far, so good. Sixteen students were originally signed up, but that dwindled to eight.

"Voting drives happen," said Williams, "but nothing like this to my knowledge."

Saturday, it was Albuquerque and today they are in Flagstaff, Ariz. On Aug. 9, they will finish up in Washington, D.C.

Williams doubts he's seen the last of Amarillo. But hook or crook, used van or a baby jogger, some cause might just bring him through again

http://www.amarillo.com/stories/062908/new_10668056.shtml

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