Since announcing his plans to walk 7,500 miles around the United States to help raise money and awareness for the protection of abused children, Louis Michael Figueroa has yet to find two assistants to accompany him on his 10-month trek.
Figueroa, a former world-class marathoner and walker, announced his trip in November and will begin his final walk Saturday morning at Casa de Los Niņos, 1101 N. Fourth Ave., and end the walk one mile from the starting point.
All proceeds from the walk will go to Justice for Children and Protect, two national child advocacy organizations that fight for federal protection of abused, exploited and neglected children.
However, Figueroa, 38, needs two assistants to accompany him and is looking for interest in UA students who could dedicate four to five months to the trip.
"I'm sure there are students out there that are taking the semester off to find out what they want to do," Figueroa said. "This might be a good way for them to take some time out and get away."
Figueroa needs one assistant to go to each town prior to his arrival to set up his lodging accommodations and contact the local media.
The second assistant will drive a mile ahead of Figueroa with water, food and other amenities, including cassette tapes, which Figueroa listens to on his Walkman during the walk.
Assistants will receive free room and board as well as a weekly salary for as long as they decide to accompany Figueroa.
"I believe strongly that a group of intelligent, compassionate individuals can bring about a change," he said. "And do you know why? Because it's the only thing that ever has brought about change."
In addition to having friends like Stevie Wonder and Wynton Marsalis, Figueroa said he is also receiving support from organizations like the members of the Kiwanis, an international nonprofit organization that supports children and young adults.
"Don't get me wrong, I've got a beautiful life, and it's hard to remember that sometimes," he said. "I've got friends, whether famous or not famous, who care deeply about me and have been able to help me through my issues."
Mark Levkowitz is a member of the Tucson chapter of Kiwanis - San Xavier Club - who is helping sponsor Figueroa's walk.
"I think he's walking for a great cause and we're helping him out in any way we can, emotionally and financially," Levkowitz said.
Levkowitz said he first met Figueroa when he came into his music shop, Chicago Store, 130 E. Congress St., to borrow a bass guitar. Even though Figueroa returned the instrument late, Levkowitz said they became friends.
"I couldn't do this walk without these people," Figueroa said.
If Figueroa does not find two assistants by Saturday when he embarks at 11 a.m., he said he will still continue his journey.
"I have a backup plan, but not one I want to use," he said.
His potential backup plan will require that members of the Kiwanis or other local church groups will call and ask volunteers to help Figueroa as he approaches each destination throughout the duration of his walk.
"We may be able to do something through the Kiwanis because they're all over the country," Levkowitz said.
A father of two, Figueroa said this walk is his most personal endeavor because he was sexually abused by a housekeeper from ages 7 to 14 but never told his parents.
"I'm gettin' really scared again," he said. "People are gonna start to throw that hero label on me, which doesn't fit well because I'm nobody's hero. I have no illusions of grandeur. I don't think I'm gonna save the world, however, I do believe that I'm gonna save one or two kids."
Figueroa, a New Brunswick, N.J., native now living in Tucson, first ran across the country in 1982 to honor a bone cancer patient, and then walked across the country in 1996 for his brother, Jimmy, who died of AIDS.
With his final walk, Figueroa said he hopes to raise money, and equally as important, awareness.
"We can tackle school drop out rates, low self-esteem, addiction, crime, all the things that can happen to an abused child," Figueroa said. "All these things happen as a result of their abuse. Trust me. Trust. Me. I know. I'm even talking about myself there when I bring up those subjects."
Because of Figueroa's ability to walk for long distances, he said the walk itself will be easy, but saying goodbye to his son and daughter will be "the hardest part of the walk."
"Forget the blisters, forget the leg cramps, forget the fatigue. ... That is gonna be nothing compared to how much I'm gonna miss my babies," he said.