Man walking 1,460 miles for homelessness awareness stops in San Luis Obispo

Posted: Dec 14, 2011 12:01 AM by Shelby Rhodes
Updated: Dec 14, 2011 8:15 AM

A veteran is using his own two feet this month to take a stand against homelessness across the country.

Stephen Millhouse is walking 1,460 miles from Missoula, Montana to Los Angeles. He said that is the average mileage a homeless person walks in on year. On Tuesday, KSBY News caught up with Millhouse near the Cuesta Grade. He has already walked more than 1,200 of those miles.

"It's called 'My One Man March."

Millhouse is collecting donations from anyone who can give. He has raised $2,500 so far. It's still a long journey from where he wants to go.

"Hopefully, a million dollars. I'm asking people to sponsor me a penny a mile. 1,460 pennies, $14 and 60 cents times 69,000 people and you get a million dollars." said Millhouse.

His place is slow and stead. His message is strong and clear. It is a chance for Millhouse, he said, to give back.

"One of the reasons I'm doing this is to pay it forward, everything that I've gotten, because I'm a veteran," said Millhouse. "Homelessness is a social problem and it deserves a social solution."

Millhouse has run into plenty of bumps in the road. While in Nevada, he broke his left foot, and he's not exactly carrying a light load.

"I carry anywhere from about 60-80 pounds depending on the conditions."

But as he travels down the Cuesta Grade, taking in a picturesque Central Coast sunset, he is focused on the journey more than the destination.

"Quite literally it's all downhill from here. At least I hope so."

And where he will call home tonight? That answer is to be determined.

"I've had really good luck with that. Last night I stayed at edge of the 101 on an on ramp near some bushes. I'll see what I see when I get there."

Millhouse said all of the money donated goes to homeless shelters in the four states he has traveled through. One of the things he has had to learn along the way is how to be tech savvy. He has a website complete with a blog, Twitter account and Facebook. Click here to check it out.