Neil Sauter took some time Sunday to have his photo taken while walking through LeRoy. Sauter is walking through Michigan on stilts to raise money for United Cerebral Palsy. The names of the individuals in the picture are, from left to right:
Madison Marks, Valerie VanAvery, Neil Sauter, Andrew Alberts, Stephanie VanAvery and Teal Vanderhoef.
A cut above the rest
By Matt Whetstone
CADILLAC - Walking across Michigan is tough.
Doing so on stilts is a ¨ pretty giant task.
It’s one Neil Sauter of Blissfield is ready to take on. To date, Sauter has traveled about 300 miles in three weeks. He walked through Osceola County up Mackinaw Trail to Cadillac, where he’s staying with a host family.
Today, he’s heading to Sherman for the night before heading toward Traverse City and the next 500 miles over five weeks.
Sauter, who has cerebral palsy, is embracing the task to raise money for United Cerebral Palsy. He decided to do something to give back after he received a college scholarship because of ¨ cerebral palsy.
Combining his goal to give back and his passion for stilt walking seemed to be a ¨ perfect fit.
"I was concerned about starting the trip and going unnoticed," Sauter said. "I’ve been quite satisfied with how it’s gone."
Sauter has raised about $8,000 toward his goal of about $17,000. Money comes in through his Web site or from people who just see him walking and wonder what’s going on. If he meets the $17,000 mark, he can take advantage of a 3-to-1 grant match from the charity.
"Every dollar that’s ¨ donated becomes $4 for ¨ charity," he said.
While walking, Sauter has stayed with pre-arranged host families, or friends or just people he’s met. He travels about 20 miles per day with a 20-pound pack that includes a camera, his food, clothes and his phone.
"I carry everything except my housing," he said.
If someone wishes to donate, the information can be found on Sauter’s Web site, www.stiltstory.org.
Money for charity
Neil Sauter of Blissfield is raising money for United Cerebral Palsy by walking across Michigan on stilts.
To date, Sauter has raised about $8,000. He hopes to raise at least $17,000.
Sauter plans to leave Cadillac today in route to Sherman. From there, he’s heading to Traverse City.
Sauter accepts donations in person. Anyone interested in donating also can do so through his Web site: www.stiltstory.org.
