Kansas man walks to highlight foster kids, adoption

Weighing a hefty 257 pounds in 2011, I opted to undergo a major change and shed those excess pounds.

By the end of the year, I lost nearly 60 pounds (more than 25% of my body weight). I followed that endeavor with a commitment to get in shape in 2012, which resulted in my participation in a Get Fit Challenge within Eaton. I managed to walk an amazing 280 miles (and over a half-million steps) in June alone, adding another 225 miles in July. I have kept on walking since.

After those two efforts, in early July, 2012, I ruminated on how I might follow-up on those successes. Then it hit me. I had a milestone birthday coming up in a few short years. So, for my 60th birthday in 2015, I decided to Walk Across Kansas. My second “cause” walk — from Miami to Seattle ­— started on February 1, 2018.

The focus of my 2015 journey was to raise funds predominantly for four central Kansas charities: Reins of Hope, Big Brothers / Big Sisters, First Call for Help, and Heart-to-Heart. I completed that trek in October 2015, despite being stopped by medical issues three times.

The focus of my 2018 journey is to raise awareness of the need for foster parents and adoption — and how everyone can help. Current statistics show that there are 5,000 children Kansas alone that are in foster care, with 900 of those awaiting adoption — and Kansas is among those states with the least number of children in care.

Why this path? Why across America?

I have chosen this difficult route to cross the United States because the lives that foster children and adoptees live are among the most difficult lives one can imagine. In addition, the route chosen is designed take me through Kansas, which I have called home since 1999.

My birth family traces their roots to Kansas back to the mid-1860s. Although born in Pueblo in 1955, I have been a Kansan since 1999. When I reach Kansas, my trail covered the areas of Kansas where I have lived — through St. John, Hutchinson, and Burrton.

As I walk, I hope to meet with local news folks in small towns along the way. I also hoped to find folks who will walk with me for a day or more.

Charlcie traveled with me in an RV for support to facilitate rest stops along the way. We faced some issues in our planning and execution but remain confident I can do it.

In July 2012, I made my first “20-mile day” — trekking from Frisco, Colorado, to Breckenridge — and back — in just under 7 hours. In August 2013, I made my first 20-mile day in the Kansas heat (Burrton to Hutchinson); August 2014 saw my first “long distance” where I managed 10 consecutive days of walking — from Oklahoma to Nebraska. As mentioned, I completed an east- to-west journey across Kansas in 2015.

Having covered Kansas, I set about walking all of the nearly 300 miles of paved streets in Hutchinson, which I completed in September 2016. In 2017, I walked from Hutchinson to all 25 communities in Reno County, covering approximately 400 miles. Now our sights are on America.

Along the way I am planning a series of “motivational speeches” to highlight what one person can do to make a difference. Charity Steps is predicated on the idea that every charitable act is initiated by someone deciding to make a difference and then acting on that decision. Charity always begins with a single step. I will also be updating a Facebook blog and regularly broadcasting Facebook videos.

In July of 2018, we were forced to interrupt our journey across the United States. For starters, it is an unnerving feeling when you park on a slight downhill incline, set your brakes, and then begin rolling down the hill.

With nearly 700 miles of the remaining 1530 miles in these mountains. When the local mechanics tell you that they have done all they can do, you simply head for home to regroup. Adding to the issues, I had some physical issues that had surfaced. We were also on schedule to hit Sturgis, S.D., at the same time as 500,000 motorcycle enthusiasts.

With the RV fixed and my health fully restored, we headed out again on May 18, 2019, with plans to finish by late August or so.

I will be tracking my actual walk, as well as my training progress at https://www.facebook.com/glenn.koster.

In case you didn’t know, I am also a writer and a published columnist. My first book, “Life is a Long Story Short”, was published in March 2016. Subsequent works will follow, with the next due in early 2020. Read about it on Facebook at ThePrairieTattler Facebook.com/HopeForLifesJourney.

This is not a fundraising walk. However, if you are compelled to donate to a cause, please do so to a foster care or adoption agency within your immediate area. If you are not sure of any, please ask me and I will give you contact information.

You can also help by getting the word out.

United States will be to raise awareness of the need for foster parents and adoption. Get involved. Foster. Adopt. Support those who foster by offering weekend relief. By all means, encourage everyone to do so. This is the only way we will ever impact these young lives.

Because charity always begins with a single step.

Information: Glenn.Koster@gmail.com or KSCharlcie@gmail.com