ABOUT THIS JOURNEY

I’m walking 300 miles for the kids.

My intention is to unite 59 Suffolk County school districts in working together to help ALL children while raising money for mental health resources in our schools. To combat the discord and divisiveness in our communities, while providing encouragement, support and compassion to our most valuable resources- the youth.

This journey begins on Sunday November 21st as I walk and run 10-15 hours per day, visiting 59 Section XI High Schools along the way. My route is a long and winding one: I will start at Center Moriches High School, making my way west along the south shore and north to the Huntington area. Next, I will move east along the north shore to Greenport, followed by a cross over to Shelter Island. After covering the South Fork, I will eventually make my way back to Center Moriches HS where it all began. A comprehensive list of each high school being visited can be found below.

Check out News 12 Long Island’s coverage on this event: https://longisland.news12.com/center-moriches-athletic-director-walks-to-raise-mental-health-awareness

I will be "live" on social media all week to promote awareness as I travel 300 miles on foot. Links to our Twitter, Instagram and Facebook pages are listed below.

Please support this effort with a tax deductible donation, and support me along the way. I will provide updates and feedback along my 300 mile journey.

The “You Will Not Walk Alone” endeavor was inspired by my involvement in a safety committee meeting focusing on anxiety & depression in students, as well as the movie "Joe Bell,” with it’s compelling message about the terrifying costs of bullying (among too many other significant issues) affecting our children every day.

I have worked in the field of education for 25 years+ and have served families in many capacities, recently in the role of as Interim Principal at Center Moriches High School during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most importantly, I'm a father of 4 wonderful children, working alongside my wife, who is a psycho-therapist for Long Island Behavioral Health. She has seen the amount of adolescents in need of social & emotional support profoundly escalate. I'm saddened by the struggles too many children suffer and I’m deeply compelled to help.

It takes a village.

- Jeremy Thode

Visit our Facebook Event Page

Follow us on Social Media for more updates: