Old man walking returns

Richard Atkinson is back pounding the pavement to raise money for a cause.

Atkinson is walking every day for 151 consecutive days in a quest to raise funds for a greenhouse for Whitefish High School.

He embarked on a similar mission in 2009, which he termed “Old Man Walking” to raise funds for the Whitefish Performing Arts Center. Now, he’s come out of retirement to lace up his shoes for another cause he says is worthy of the community’s attention.

“Now I’m older man walking,” he said with a laugh. He sports a T-shirt emblazoned with the slogan to prove it.

The greenhouse is intended to be used for science classes at the high school and could also be used to grow food for the school lunch program.

Atkinson took to the streets Monday and has vowed to walk three miles per day, seven days per week, for 23 weeks straight. He began on he and wife Carol’s 35th wedding anniversary and he will end his journey Feb. 26, ending on his 75th birthday. By the end he will have walked 453 miles.

Atkinson walks each morning leaving the high school at 8 a.m. walking north on Pine Avenue then turning on to Second Street heading west before turning around at Baker Avenue to return to the high school. He completes the route twice in about an hour to mark a total of three miles.

Not only is Atkinson walking for the cause, but he and Carol have pledged a $25,000 matching grant to the fundraiser. If the high school students involved can raise $25,000, then the Atkinsons will write a check.

“I think it’s a good project,” Atkinson said. “If the students were willing to do this, then I was willing.”

The high school’s FREEFLOW club will work to raise money for the greenhouse.

“Engaging students in the process of the food business, from the growing of it, to the eating, provides a fun and relevant approach to science and nature studies,” said science teacher Eric Sawtelle. “No topic is more interesting or engaging for students than the food they eat.”

Students will hold a harvest celebration fundraiser Tuesday on the lawn of the middle school from 5-7:30 p.m. The event includes art, a salsa making competition apple cider pressing and produce for purchase.

In addition to walking, Atkinson is offering to mentor any willing students in the art of fundraising. He said he’ll be the spokesperson — talk to newspapers and TV stations or go along to seek business donations — as long as the students arrange those meetings. He also invites students to walk with him.

“I’d like at least some of them to grow up and become fund raisers themselves,” he said. “It’s a good thing for kids to learn about what fundraising is and how to get people to give money while feeling good about it.”

Atkinson has put an additional challenge on those that want to donate to the cause. He doesn’t want any donations above $500.

“I want to show that the community can take care of itself,” he said.