From a recent Akron Beacon-Journal report:

Josh Wengerd is taking steps — millions of them, in fact — to raise awareness about a Stark County group that helps people who can’t afford their prescription medicines.

Starting next month, the 23-year-old Hartville native plans to spend six months hiking the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, a 2,175-mile path from Georgia to Maine.

As he traverses mountains and valleys through 14 states with only a backpack and walking sticks, supporters of the Stark Prescription Assistance Network (SPAN) will use Wengerd’s journey to raise money and educate the public about the group’s efforts.

“If I’m going to take six months of my life and go walk, it’s definitely a good idea if I can do something good with it and help others,” Wengerd said. “There is a need for it.”

I think everybody who thru-hikes ought to consider a fund-raising component — not just because it’s a good thing to do, but so they can have a reply for the standard “what the hell?” questions from the unwashed (well, washed, actually) masses.