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Lawton “Bud” Chiles Begins Statewide Walk For Children In Century
September 21, 2009
Lawton “Bud” Chiles is retracing the steps of his father, former Florida Governor Lawton Mainor Chiles, Jr., with a One Million Step tour across Florida to raise awareness of children’s health, education and safety issues in the state.
The journey of One Million Steps will officially started Monday morning in Century, honoring the historic 1970 walk of Gov. Chiles as he ran for the U.S. Senate. Bud Chiles, who often traveled with his father on his journey, will walk one million steps — 566 miles — across Florida in an effort to inspire one million Floridians to become involved in volunteering and making Florida a better place for children.
“I saw first hand the unique bond he forged as he listened to people,” Bud Chiles said of his father’s walk and his desire to help children and families. “In the past 10 years, sadly, we have suffered from a lack of that leadership from our state’s politicians.”
“I want to help tell your stories about what is working and what is broken,” Chiles said of his desire to listen to Floridians as he walks across the state. “Florida’s politicians are out of touch, and we can’t count on Washington to fix what is broken. With your help, we will make Florida a place for children again.”
Chiles started his walk at Alabama-Florida state line Sunday afternoon, and he will end in Miami next year, according to event organizers
He had three stops planned for Monday:
- Campfire USA Childcare Program
A nurse will be on hand to do vision and hearing screenings and conduct handwashing classes. Chiles will be on hand, reading to the children while they are waiting their turn with the screenings. 10 a.m. until noon, 6031 Industrial Boulevard - New Life Baptist Church
New Life participates in several community projects for children, including the Imagination Library that provides any child between birth and age five a free, age-appropriate book delivered to their home monthly. 1:00 to 1:30 p.m., 700 East Hecker Road - Century Pharmacy
Century Pharmacy is a sponsor of the Imagination Library and other children’s programs. Chiles will hand out Imagination Library applications and read books to children. 3:00 to 4:00, 7351 Mayo Street
The walk will continue Tuesday and Wednesday in Pensacola. Event organizers have not yet released an itinerary.
The Lawton Chiles Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) non-partisan organization, is “driven by this same philosophy and working to make Florida a state in which children thrive. The Worst To First statewide initiative was formed by the Foundation to identify key indicators used to measure Florida’s poor performance and to educate Floridians about our national standing as regards education, health care and community safety,” according to the group’s www.WorstToFirst.org website.
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One Response to “Lawton “Bud” Chiles Begins Statewide Walk For Children In Century”
We had a wonderful visit. Mr. Chiles learned about the vision and hearing screenings. He read a book to the children in the VPK class. The 3 year olds sang the “Green Song” to him and had lunch for Mr. and Mrs. Chiles. Early childhood education, increasing child care subsidies so people can work and prevention programs were discussed as part of his awareness Campaign.