MOUNT VERNON — The “Pacin’ Parson,” aka Don Stevenson of Auburn, Wash., walked briskly into Mount Vernon Wednesday afternoon, closing in on a 13,000 mile odyssey awareness walk for Huntington’s disease.
Stevenson is 10 years and over 33,000 miles into walks for charities benefitting Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis and cancer. On one trip he walked blindfolded for the Marie Federicci Trust Fund.
His current walk for Huntington’s disease is dedicated to a close friend whose mother and three siblings died from HD. An ordained minister and former Marine, the Ohio native was born two months prematurely in Columbus, which is where he grew up.
Stevenson dropped out of school and enlisted in the Marine Corps. Out of the Marines, he enrolled in high school and went on to study at the God’s Bible School and Missionary Training Home in Cincinnati, thanks to the GI Bill. He graduated with honors.
He pastored several churchs before finding employment at a Seattle, Wash., dairy, where he worked 28 years. He is accompanied on the walk by Loretta, his wife of 25 years. She drives ahead in the couple’s pickup truck.
Wednesday, Stevenson left Delaware for the 25-mile hike to Mount Vernon; Loretta met him at Rowe Oil on Columbus Road. He has a sister, Pat Alexander, who lives in Apple Valley, which is where they spent the night.
Stevenson averages 25 to 30 miles each day, and the walking keeps his 5-foot-11-inch figure to a slender 160 pounds. He admits he bulks up a little in the off season. Blessed with good health, Stevenson said the fund-raisers are a walk of love. He has raised $10,000 so far and hopes to add another $20,000 by the time he arrives at the Empire State Building in New York City.
Anyone wishing to make a contributation to his walk can call (206) 464-9598. Checks can be sent to HD Society of America, Code 070TH03, P.O. Box 33345, Seattle, WA 98133.
For updates on Stevenson’s walk go to www.pacinparson.org.
