Hiking, camping, and fishing were family activities while I was growing up and the Richardson boys have all achieved Eagle Scout status, the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America. Needless to say, I sincerely enjoy the outdoors. Soon after my older brother, Nate, finished with college, we ventured out on a backpacking trip as a graduation gift. My dad, Nate, and I set our eyes on Isle Royale, and we didn’t look back! We ventured out one summer morning with forty-pound packs on our shoulders, and never were to return the same. This trip was truly incredible; there is something uniquely remarkable about living off the land for a period of time. Without the luxury of vehicles, cellular telephones, hotels or running water, our outdoorsmen skills were put to the test. Upon our homecoming, we had countless stories to tell, and much rest to catch up on. Most importantly, however, I had come back a changed person. I was a little bit tougher, a little bit more in tune with myself, and much closer to my Dad and brother.

The Isle Royale excursion was a formative trip for me, and an experience that I frequently reminisced upon with Nate and my dad. In the summer of 2007, my dad had promised that upon my college graduation, we would take another backpacking trip. Only a few months later, my father was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.

My father’s form of cancer, “squamous cell carcinoma”, quickly spread throughout his sinus cavity, neck, and eventually his brain. My dad, Ray, went through several grueling months of radiation, chemotherapy, and other treatments. My dad was exhausted, as were those who were helping him.

While my family never gave up hope and perpetually kept an optimistic viewpoint, it appeared that my father’s courageous battle with cancer was rapidly drawing to a close.

On May 13th, 2008, my father passed away. The process of healing after a death is a lifelong experience. I have vowed to live each day in remembrance of Ray Richardson and live out the legacy that he set before me.

As my college graduation date drew near, I became painfully aware that my dad and I would not be able to enjoy the trip we had begun to plan for my graduation gift. Physically, I knew that I would not hike with him, yet I was keenly aware that spiritually he would be present as I embarked on the PennyBen hike.

I decided to take a hike — a hike to heal. Since healing is such an extended process, I resolved to hike an extended trail. In honor of my father, I hiked all 2,178.3 miles of the Appalachian Trail. In light of my dad’s philanthropic hear, my family and I decided to form the “AT” thru-hike into a fundraiser. We brought the idea down to my alma mater, the Aquinas College campus, hoping to get the student body involved. The students were very receptive, and we have vowed to donate every penny that we continue to raise through fundraising events to the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. Along with many other fundraising events, PennyBen earned its namesake through the personal sponsorships of hundreds of donors who gave a penny per mile that I hiked along the 2,178-mile stretch along the Appalachian Trail.

On May 13th, 2009, I ventured out on my hike on the Appalachian Trail with hopes of fulfilling several dreams. With the help of my family, friends, the PennyBen group, and those who generously donated to PennyBen, my dreams came true—along with the dreams of the residents of the Hope Lodge who continue to utilize the services of the Hope Lodge without any fee. I was able to take my trip with my dad. I was able to heal from the painful loss that families stricken with cancer have to surmount. We were able to provide hope for people in our community, by only a penny per mile.

Please, gather your loose change and contribute to the PennyBen cause. Every cent makes a difference.

With your support, we can support others, one penny at a time.

 

Thank you,
Ben “Mission” Richardson, Georgia to Maine 2009