Making Change: One Man’s Journey Across America
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y.– 22 miles a day, alone. Poughkeepsie native and Marist Professor of English, Tommy Zurhellen will be doing just that as he walks from sea to shining sea this summer to raise awareness about veteran homelessness and suicide through his project, VetZero.
From Oregon to Poughkeepsie, Tommy Zurhellen will be traveling a total of 2,866 miles without a support team and with only a small pack that will carry a change of clothes, medicines, and other basic essentials.
A war veteran himself, Zurhellen served in the Navy during the Persian Gulf War before joining the Poughkeepsie Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 170 five years ago. This year he became the post commander. He said that this formative experience led him to take on this daunting challenge.
“I do not think a day goes by where I am not assisting local veterans,” said Zurhellen. “I never realized the need for veterans was so apparent.”
Zurhellen hopes that his journey raises awareness about some staggering national statistics. He has two major goals for this project. The first is to represent the 22 veterans who commit suicide every day, according to a 2015 report from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. The second goal is to raise $40,387 for local veterans. This number represents the number of homeless veterans according to the report.
All proceeds will be donated to local organizations that support veterans, including, Hudson River Housing and the Vet 2 Vet program.
Donations to Hudson River Housing are desperately needed according to Christa M. Hines, the executive director of Hudson River Housing. “Several years ago, we lost a significant funding source that supported our veteran work and we have been advocating very strongly to have funding restored but it’s been slow and minimal,” said Hines. “The support from Tommy again will greatly enhance our ability to address the immediate needs of veterans that come to us for services.”
Hudson River Housing serves about 100 veterans and their families annually. Hines said the money raised by Zurhellen will support rental and utility assistance for veterans, as well as transportation programs.
None of the donations will be used to cover administrative costs. All donations will go to supporting Hudson Valley veterans.
Walking the Walk
Starting April 15, Zurhellen will essentially be living as a homeless veteran for four months.
“I think that is the most daunting part, just not having a safety net and doing it alone,” he said. “In some places, I am not going to have a place to sleep. I am just going to have to figure it out. Again, I think that is a really important part of the project.”
Zurhellen has been preparing for the physical aspect of the journey by walking every day and working out, but it is really the mental part that he is worried about. “It is the mental part that seems to be the most elusive for me,” he said.
In addition to raising awareness about veterans, Zurhellen has a personal goal.
Zurhellen hopes to inspire his students to make a difference. “Everyone has a personal mountain to climb. Hopefully, it serves as evidence that you can put your mind to it and just do it,” he said.
And while some may think he is crazy, Zurhellen argues, “Of course people will say I am crazy, but that is how change comes about.”
