Following Jimmy Wayne to the Finish Line-Phoenix Arizona July 30 th

                                                                 
                                                                  Aunt Chaladas Resturant 
                                            Street Team Members from all across the United States
                                                                 In support of Jimmy Wayne

                                                                                      
                                              

Officer Lamb State Trooper with Jimmy Wayne





 When we last saw, Jimmy we all knew he was in a lot of pain. It was nearing the 7pm time for the Street Team Dinner  that was hosted at Aunt Chaladas by Cheryl Gillman dynamo Arizona Street Coordinator.
So we all had to zip back get cleaned up and get to the othe side of town.
On, our way back to the hotel Jimmy tweeted out that he was in so much pain he needed Rob Daniels
to come phisically pick him up. word spread  quickly spread between us . We will push Jimmy as a team?
Jimmy tweeted back THANKS but NO thanks he would crawl if needed.
Luckily Barrelboy takes Jimmy to Denny's Resturant to have dinner,
Who do they see? Officer Lamb and his partner having dinner.
here's Barrels story:

Jimmy and I walk into Denny's resturant and who do we see?
 Officer Lamb and his partner eating dinner.
We  pay for their dinner, thanking him after guiding Jimmy safely over the steep grade in the dark.
The officers stop by thank Barrel for their dinner and ask how is Jimmy doing?
 Barrell replies
"its not looking good Jimmy only has 5 miles to go to the finish and I dont think hes gonna make it.
Its not looking good.  I think he broke something. The officer asks for Barrel's cell number, promises him by tomorrow he will have someone help Jimmy.
The next morning on a saturday at 7 am a Podiatrist in Scottsdale,  Arizona opened up just for Jimmy and confirmed indeed hes foot was broken, fit him in a walking boot and by 2pm .
 Jimmy Wayne was  up  and  going.

                                                                         

                                                                                   

Word of Jimmy back up and  walking spread like wild fire between all the Street Teams.

Following Jimmy Wayne to the Finish Line-Phoenix Arizona Shea Blvd.

Following Jimmy Wayne to the Finish Line-Phoenix Arizona Shea Blvd.

Jimmy Wayne U-streaming in pain. the look on his face says it all. We would walk for  2 miles then he'd go in and @Barrellboy1025 would ice his leg, for a few minutes.

This process went om for about 10 more times

This was another touching seen where a someone brought their foster child out to show support.
Jimmy was very moved. it kept him going.

Follow the Street Team Members on Twitter

Cathy Eppinger @ Cathyfromohio.  Cheryl's daughter   Teri  Carillo @atacarrillo    Cheryl Gillman @CherylGNAZ

                                                      

Cheryl Gilman-    Arizona  Street Team Coordinator

I live in Apache Junction, AZ, which is about 35 east of Phoenix. I am married, my husband;s name is Dave, and we have a beautiful 15 1/2 year old daughter, Kayla. I also have a 32 year old daughter, Manda, who lives in Austin Texas ... and we were just reunited last June as I had given her up for adoption when I was 17. I was brought up a Navy brat and have lived all over the country, including Hawaii, and also in Germany. We love to travel and meet new people. I have a passion for wanting to help make a difference and can't think of a better place to start than with the youth of our country.

Follow Cheryl on Twitter at /@CherylGnAZ

Follow Street Team Members on Twitter

Devvi Silva @cadevvi       Laurie Robertson @slippergirl2u

 Laurie Robertson   - Northeast Street Team Member

 Donates countless hours researching information on foster teens. She is a huge asset to Jimmy Wayne and the Meet Me Halfway Project , She  traveled all the way from, Attleboro, MA.  to show Jimmy Wayne her support, and walk the last 10 mi. to Phoenix, to the finish line. She spends a lot of her time handing out fliers and bringing  awareness to her own community.

  Salvation Army shes a bell ringer and helped put together, Christmas gifts for Salvation Army Angel Tree Program .

This is an extra special picture of a MMH supporter that jumped out of the car after she realized who Jimmy was.
It was very touching people honking to Jimmy as he walked closer to Phoenix
 He was in so much pain....

Alyssa Taylor

@1Tallcowgirl

Talk to Street members on Twitter

Tina Trevarthen @Tbear924               Felicia Keiser is @MMH_MidAtlantic

Felicia Logged in over 23 miles that day

Felicia@projectmmh.org

Felicia Keiser

Virginia's Street Team Coordinator

I am a former foster child who has become rather involved in community service projects surrounding the issues of homelessness and foster children. Over the past few years I have been motivated and encouraged by Jimmy Wayne's lyrics, most notably "Paper Angels" and "I Didn't Come Here to Lose". Therefore, when the opportunity came about to walk with Mr. Wayne and support MMH I responded wholeheartedly and delightfully got involved further than I expected. I am honored serve with all of you who volunteer in support of this cause and look forward to the changes in the system that are to come from this endeavor, making life better for our kids.

Felecia writes a blog that recounts her thoughts and activities as she works with Project Meet Me Halfway. She has also been profiled in an article from Newsleader.com, her local newspaper, about her work with the Together We Can Foundation, an organization in her area (Virginia Beach) that prepares and supports foster children aging out to live independently and obtain their goals of higher education.

EVENING OF July 29 th Following Jimmy Wayne To The Finish Line

After our great lunch ,and monsoon we headed back out to Ft. McDowell Rv / park

were KNIX was broadcasting every 15 minutes come out to the Rv park and have a celebration with Jimmy Wayne. I was very skeptical about doing so, cause I didnt want to get out were they were it was going to rain again. The storm was pretty powerful, but Jimmywas sick and need Emergency C so we set out to find him.  to deliver the much need meds! we drive out and the destruction in that area was unreal, cars were overturned blew houses off their  foundation. But Lauren really wanted to find Jimmy so we continued on.

We finally get out there, and it is like a ghost town, about then the security guard drives up and asks us what we are doing? I say and point to the meetmehalfway sign. Have you seen this man?  hadn't seen but heard, about Jimmy Wayne. So we wait.... and wait ..... and hang out remeber, hes suppose to walk in at dawn.

   and we wait.......

and waited........

and waited.......

about 4 and a half hours go by

here comes Rob driving the pilot car- Barrelboy and the Rv.

Little did we know at the time he also broke his ankle bone to his foot

The State Trooper guiding Jimmy down the hill.

This is Jimmy walking down the 6% grade like this

when he broke his foot.

Being the gracious host that he is still came out in pain and talked to everyone thanking them for comming out

to show their support.

Jimmy meeting Blind Howard

Jimmy was so thrilled to get some hazelnut creamer!

he was out! Still smiling with a broken foot!

Day 2- Following Jimmy Wayne to the finnish Line- Phoenix Finale

Street Team  Members from left to right Sara Jouret- @SaraJouret, Felicia Kiser- @MMH_Midatlantic,
Cheryl Gillman,-@CherylGnAZ, Tina Trevarthen,- @tbear924, Lauren Trevarthen -@bikerchick308
Devvi Siva- @Cadevvi ,and taking picture Alyssa Taylor,-@1Tallcowgirl


Here we are at Rain Forrest Cafe at The Scottsdale Mall , meeting for the first time.
I really loved meeting with Street Team Members from all over the United States and finding out the many hidden talents this group has!The meeting,  was so powerful, during our meeting a monsoon hit tearing tiles off the Arizona University. Knocking power out to nearby homes.
Here is some Information on all these wonderful  women, I learned from our Meeting.

Sara Jouret -
 Street Team Member-
 Was so compelled to make it to the Phoenix Finale to meet with Jimmy Wayne she actually sold personal poessions to buy  her  airline ticket. has recently over came being homeless herself, and through her church is helping foster teens help themselves.  I was especially thrilled to meet her! We also shared a moment, when Jimmy Wayne,sang,Sara Smile, I  pinched her and she said "owe"!! and I said your not dreaming! you're really here!

Felica Kiser-
Virginia Street Team Coordinator-
 Known her for awhile, through  twitter, been in a couple my slide shows, always thinking of ways to support Jimmy Wayne, this would be her second time to walk with Jimmy. she ended up walking at the front of the pack the whole way! she logged over 20 miles last walk and I know she  trekked over 20 miles this time.

Cheryl Gillman-
Arizona Street Team Coordinator-
Wow! I was really and truly impressed! First time meeting Cheryl as soon as I landed she was tweeting me, to meet for lunch, boy am I glad I did. this woman needs to be cloned! I had no idea, all the time, energy , and resources this woman has! in one hour I learned more from her, in one hour! than all my time put together as a Street Team Member. The information I received from her is priceless. She has been supporting Homebase in so many ways, she has cards for car washes she hands out and when you use Homebase gets 10% for just showing the card! She joins the Homebase medical teams and goes out on the streets! I am proud to call her friend! alias Angel.

Tina Trevarthen-
West Coast Street Team Member
Tina has supported Jimmy Wayne in many ways, All her vehicles have Magnetic signs that have Jimmy's picture and website on. We hand carried from Ione, Ca. to Phoenix, and were proudly displayed on our rental van. That's how Jimmy spotted us in Payson, AZ. She also has done numerous walks in support for Foster care. Waynes walk, (10 mile) Supported Jimmy at the Capital (3mile walk) worked the first MMH table at the capital.  She works closely with Wind Youth Services in Sacramento, Ca. http://www.windyouth.org/donate.asp
 I am very honored to call my friend!

Lauren Trevarthen-
WEST Coast Street Team Member
Lauren's  mission is to support Jimmy Wayne.  She has done numerous walks!  fund raisers! promotes J.W were ever he goes she has  a smile on her face and his pictures on her tray at all times ! She participated in Wayne's Walk, Supporting J.W. at the State Capital, Went to Tennessee and walked with Jimmy and LTC. Garkey for her Birthday March 8.  She is the most popular Street Team Member and almost more popular than Jimmy Wayne himself. She is my Best Girl  Friend and she has taught me so much!
and I am especially proud to call her my friend! she is Amazing!

Alyssa Taylor-
Street Team Member
The story Alyssa told, about herself, was one of the most interesting, she has worked a long with her mom for Casa. casa.org She was very modest, almost embarrassed to explain to us, that this was her families way of life. Taking in ,aged out youth and working together with her church that actually goes out to homeless shelters finds teens her are on the brink of homelessness and finds them foster homes and necessities . 
Her Heart is as big as she is Tall ! I'm honored to call her my friend!

                                                                            Alyssa pictured with Lauren

July 28th- Following Jimmy Wayne ! To The Finish Line - Payson AZ.

Day 1
Wednesday at 1:45 am : Woke up ;
Had  Hubby  drive me  to the San Francisco, CA. Airport checking in 4AM
 Met 2 of my
Street Team Members, Tina and her daughter Lauren Trevarthen
 Jimmy Wayne your problems at the airport,
 are nothing compared to my BFF girlfriend Lauren. She has to wait for a special security guard to take her a side a physically  pat her down, check her wheel chair ,she then gets the wand and swabbed,takes about 30 minutes for this process .
 We landed it took maybe 2 hours,got a special handicap van that has a ramp. We checked into Red Roof very nice!  changed   our   clothes  got something to eat, remember , Tina  has been up by this time for about 26 hours, So we iced teaed up, and  ate.
 We decide to check out Payson, AZ.  Where we know Jimmy has just  ustreamed , its  about a 90 minute drive. The Cati's and rocks paint out  the way. We decide  to go to  Walmart  for Drinks,ice to prepare to walk the next day cause were tired!
We  get to the middle of town. and who do we see? Barrel boy and Jimmy Wayne on a street corner,
We  Honk ! Jimmy !HEY I JUST SAW MY PICTURE ON THAT CAR" its us with the magnetic sign     Meet ME HALFWAYhttp://meetmehalfway.jimmywayne.com/  SIGN  carried , in a box all the way from CA.to Phoenix.
We QUICKLY PULL OVER!  I got Lauren Out in  10 seconds! I'm running on a busy street yelling WAIT!!! but he can't hear me.!     Tina   yells look out here comes a cyclists! I YELL Hey! See those 2 guys?  stop them!! and he jetted up and says!' hey!!! those ladies back there want you!
Jimmy TURNS AROUND AND YELLS LAUREN!!!! ON USTREAM! turns around and starts   walking really  fast!
He thinks that Lauren ,  and  I  are going to hold him back, time wise,and puts us to the test in 105 degree weather up hill . starts hauling freight! I  Pour  it  on too!
FOLLOWING , Him uphill , we leave Barrellboy in the dust !   He turns around ,and says  Damn!  there still  here! he  goes  faster ! AND is surprised once again,by the look on his face! this goes on for about another mile stops and points to missing sidewalk? we wheel off continue to follow. hes very surprised! we keep going . And he stops to see where we are.  STOPS ! AND I ALMOST RUN HIM OVER!    HE LAUGHS AND CONTINUES ON!

We STOP at Sonic were he makes his  commercial for Sonic   Eats his Coney dog! and Tots in 2 SECONDS !    Takes a picture with us and says sorry but I got to get in my miles and jets off!  We were relieved cause we weren't   planning    on, or prepared to go on!
I would not have  changed  a thing except..... Tina walking back to the van in a 105 degree weather !