Bill Michaud has been a big supporter of Big Brothers Big Sisters for over 25 years. He served as the executive director for BBBS of Midcoast Maine from 1988 to 2003, and has witnessed first hand the life changing experiences that many kids have had in the program.
In March, Michaud plans to begin hiking all 2168 miles of the Appalachian Trail to raise funds for BBBS of Midcoast Maine. He has a goal of raising $20,000. Donations to his six-month walk-a-thon can be by pledges per mile, or a flat rate. “A pledge of a penny a mile is a good chunk of change,” Michaud said of the $21.68 it would cost a sponsor.
“Big Brothers Big Sisters would not be where it is today without Bill,” BBBS executive director Alex Gaeth said. “I am extremely grateful to Bill for his leadership and his inspirational idea. He is still making a huge difference, one step and one child at a time.”
Hiking the AT “is something I’ve been wanting to do since I was 11 years old,” Michaud said. “My wife gave me the green light. Wayne Farrin told me I can take all the time I want. I work full time at Mobius” who also gave their blessing.
Michaud will turn 62 during his trek. “I’m hoping to get my first social security check from the top of Mt. Katahdin,” he laughed.
He will be leaving Springer Mountain, Georgia on March 18 and heading north. When asked what his trail name would be he said “probably old man walking, but that may morph into something else.”
He is slowly accumulating quality gear for the trip and has been walking a lot. “I get over to the Bigelow’s whenever I can.” Locally he hikes Mt. Megunticook in Camden with his wife Debbie.
Michaud used to run Great Hollow Wilderness School out of Wesleyan University in Middleton, Conn. “I have hiked chunks of it (the AT) with lots of campers in tow. Mostly in New England, but I’ve done a good chunk in the Smokey’s in South Carolina,” he said.
He estimates he has section hiked the AT in Massachusetts and Connecticut 25 times, and has section hiked most of New Hampshire a couple of dozen times. “That’s what I used to do for a living.”
“I hope to be back by Debbie’s birthday on Sept. 21,” Michaud commented on his six-month hike. “I have all kinds of people joining me for chunks, and have offers to stay in lots of places.” A nephew will join him in two New England States, his brother-in-law in Maryland, and Debbie will hike with him in a section of Virginia. He also plans to meet up with friends from Dartmouth in New Hampshire.
He said he is most looking forward to approaching Katahdin and the 100-mile wilderness. “My wife and I went to Monson in September to see if we could find anyone finishing up. We met two women, who were stocking up on supplies and getting ready for the 100-mile wilderness. They said you’re going to have such a good time. I was so bowled over by their enthusiasm,” Michaud said.
Michaud thinks the hardest part of the trek will be being away from Debbie, his wife of 35 years.
He is bringing just one piece of electronic equipment with him, a newly purchased Smart phone. “It is way smarter than I am. I am afraid as (sic) of it. I hope I will figure out how to use it,” Michaud said.
Anyone wishing to support BBBS through Michaud’s Appalachian Trial walk-a-thon, please make checks payable to BBBS MCM Hike for Kids, and mail it to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Midcoast Maine, 16 School Street, Suite 201, Rockland, 04841.