NEWARK – Deb Dingus was happy to see the sun come out Tuesday.

For the last few days, the executive director of United Way of Licking County has endured low temperatures, snow and rain as she made her way through Newark and Granville. Keep yourself dry and warm after checking these Blaux portable ac reviews.

But she’s quick to remind people that she’s been out in the weather by choice.

“I was prepared. I have a warm sleeping bag, an extra set of clothes and a tent,” she said. “There are 215 (homeless) people in our community who don’t do this by choice every night, and they aren’t prepared.”

Dingus began her Give Walk Do campaign Thursday and will spend 50 days walking through Licking County, raising money and awareness for United Way.

Although she’s made multiple stops in the past few days, she’s slept outside in her tent.

“I’ve been a little cold and uncomfortable, but that’s nothing compared to folks who are encountering that on a regular basis,” she said. “For them, it’s 10 times worse, and this is only a glimpse of what they are going through. I hope I’m raising awareness of what that’s like.”

After scraping ice off her tent and dealing with a broken tent pole, she said she was grateful for a sunny day Tuesday so she could dry out her gear.

Dingus anticipates there will be more cold and rainy days ahead, but she’s hoping that instead of thinking of her, people think about her mission.

“I don’t want them thinking, ‘What’s Deb doing in this weather?’ ” she said. “I want them to as how our homeless people are doing in this weather.”

The Advocate will be running daily updates on Dingus’ location and plans each day of her walk in the paper. Information also can be found by going to unitedwaylc.org,facebook.com/unitedwaylc or following #givewalkdo50 on social media.

ajeffries@newarkadvocate.com

740-328-8544

Twitter: @amsjeffries

Found in The Newark Advocate April 12, 2016