| |
Two Alabama Lawyers Complete 2,172 Mile Hike for Children
Married Attorneys Leave Careers and Comfort and Complete 7 Month Journey Suffering Snakes, Bears (& Each Other) for Children's Charity
For more information, contact
Joyce Johnson
Phone: 804/492-4519
Cell: 703/980-7641
E-mail: jjohnson@cwla.org
October 11, 2003, Mt. Katahdin, Maine (Northern Terminus, Appalachian Trail)-- After enduring seven months of blisters, camp food, heat, cold and rain, attorneys Mike Kanarick and his wife Liz Kleinberg completed their promise to the kids- to hike the entire length of the 2,172 Appalachian Trail, raising funds for children in need through the venerable Child Welfare League of America. This week they were greeted by family, well-wishers and cameras as they completed the hike in Millinocket, Maine.
"It wasn't always easy to summon the energy needed to keep going," said Mike Kanarick. "But seeing the kids' appreciation makes all the little hardships we've gone through disappear."
Maine was the objective from the start. It marks the end of the Appalachian Trail, which Mike and Liz began climbing from Springer Mountain in Georgia on March 25. Kanarick and Kleinberg have gathered sponsorships for the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA), the country's oldest and largest membership-based child welfare organization. The CWLA and its 1,100 private and public member agencies offer help including programs for children separated from their families, in foster care and adoption programs. CWLA helps more than 3 million kids per year. The pair has raised over $40,000.00 over these past 8 months.
"Mike and Liz, through their dedication and commitment, have proven to be true Champions for Children. I congratulate and thank them for their efforts and on the successful completion of the hike." said Shay Bilchik, president of the CWLA "I urge all Americans to take steps to make a difference in children's lives."
Mike, a former Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama and Press Secretary for former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman, and Liz, who worked for the Hon. Ed Carnes, United States Circuit Court Judge of the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Montgomery, are having their home in Montgomery, Ala., cared for by friends and family. With the end of the trail come plans for the future, which they hope to leave open. "We're going to move in with you!" Liz joked when her mother asked what their plans were after greeting them at the end of the trail. People can see pictures of Mike and Liz, read of their experiences on the trail, and continue to offer their support by going to https://www.cwla.org/sec/donate/Donatehikingforkids.htm
To read CWLA's proclamation to Mike and Liz, click here (PDF file).
For trail updates and videos, click here.
 Back to Top  Printer-friendly Page  Contact Us
|
|
