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Friday, September 12, 2008
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Walters plans next challenge He won't say exactly what it is, but it'll be a 24-hour event Staff Writer Another year, another Kinship Partners challenge for Gary Walters.
In 2003, he biked from Baxter to New Orleans. In 2004, he camped out for more than a week on top of Brainerd's historic water town. In 2005, he walked the length of Minnesota in 17 days. In 2006, he swam across Lake Mille Lacs. In 2007, he lost 100 pounds in a year.
Walters is being characteristically tight-lipped about this year's challenge, but he said it will be a 24-hour event taking place sometime in October. People will be able to watch the challenge and, to a degree, participate, Walters said.
"It is a physical challenge, it is a skill challenge, which right now I lack both - dramatically," Walter said. "Progress has been very slow."
John Raboin, a Kinship supporter who helps Walters come up with the challenges, was even more cryptic.
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He won't be impersonating Superman, but Gary Walters has a plan for his 2008 Kinship Challenge that will require physical skill. In years past he's lost 100 pounds, walked across the state, biked to New Orleans and swam Lake Mille Lacs for his annual challenge to raise money and awareness for Kinship Partners. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
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"We can safely say he will not be jumping out of an airplane into a glass half full of water. That one has been ruled out," Raboin said. "We considered something similar to that, but we ruled that one out this year."
Different than in year's past, people have the chance to guess what Walter's challenge will be. Guesses can be e-mailed to whatisgarygoingtodo@kinshippartners.org. Entrants will be automatically entered in a drawing for two nights' lodging for two and a golf package at Breezy Point Resort. All guesses, including incorrect ones, are eligible to win. Some of the guesses will be posted on the Kinship Partners Web site at www.kinshippartners.org.
Walters' Kinship challenges are an effort to raise funds and awareness for Kinship Partners, the nonprofit organization that matches adult mentors with children. In 2003, the goal was to raise $10,000 has grown considerably, topping $25,000 last year. It is now Kinship Partners second-biggest fundraiser.
Walters deflects all credit for this year's challenge to Raboin, who in turn said it was a joint idea, one of many odd ideas the two discuss while having lunch together.
"I've been trying to fight this idea since we started it," Walters said. "I've been giving him other options constantly and every time he goes, "No, no, they're not good enough. People will love this one, this one actually tops everything else.'
"I have no idea how far we'll get with this one."
"Or if you live," Raboin shot back, jokingly.
Walters' 2008 challenge will be is expected to be made public sometime next week.
MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.
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