Miles for Mentors 2003

This was the first year of what would become and annual tradition of craziness.  Oh but Kinship is such a great program, and even middle aged over weight guys should be allowed to have as much fun as kids do.  The trek started in early June in New Orleans.  Gary and his older brother Craig left New Orleans with just the items they could carry on their bikes and headed for Brainerd.  After 1545 miles and 19 1/2 days they arrived back in Brainerd, privileged to raise money and awareness for Kinship Partners. 

Perching for Partners 2004

Living 24/7 on a the historic Brainerd water tower may sound like a boring time but 2004 adventure was anything but boring.  Gary slept in a pup-tent 100+ feet up on the 29" walkway on the tower in downtown Brainerd was more than interesting.  Because of the visibility of this event, it brought about the need for mentors at Kinship Partners.

Marching for Mentors 2005

On June 3rd, Gary Walters and his 3 children walked north from Brainerd to International Falls.  After seeing the Canadian border they took the motor home south to Iowa.   Near Albert Lea they started to walk back home. Gary, Reggie15, Cassie13, and Jackson11, arrived back in Brainerd on June 23rd, having walked 435 miles to complete the third year of adventures working to raise money and awareness for Kinship Partners and Mentoring across the state.  Gary said “I know how to walk so who needs to train.”

Swimming Mille Lacs for Mentors 2006

Swimming over 14 miles across the nearly 133,000-acre lake to raise funds and mentors for Kinship Partners appeared to be one of those ideas that sounded really good at the time.  Admittedly not a strong swimmer, Walters swam on and off beginning about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday and completing at 10 p.m. Thursday.  "I thought I came up with something I really thought I couldn't do," Walters said. "That was a humbling experience."

Kinship Wellness Challenge 2007

This year's challenge proved the most difficult. Gary said "A lot of people said 90 or 95 pounds is good enough but I'm going to fight to the end to get that last (5 pounds to reach) 100," Gary accomplished his 100 pound weight lose the same time Kinship partners completed there 100 Mentor Campaign.  Unlike in past years, where the goal was to raise mentors, the 2007 Kinship challenge was primarily for educating people - especially children - about getting in shape.

Unicycling 2008

Walter started his challenge about a half-hour after a Wednesday Brainerd high school football game, not counting the quick demonstration he gave the crowd in between the third and fourth quarters.  He rode his unicycle into the night, through a low temperature of 32 degrees, only stopping once to take a 1.5 hour nap.  24 hours later he completed his Unicycling event finishing 21 miles.