PHOENIX (AZFamily) — It’s Something Good when a cross-country walk turns into funds for families in need.
Camilo Ruiz was inspired to walk across America for charity and knew he wanted to raise money for an organization that helps single parents. In doing research, he came across the Phoenix-based nonprofit, The Singletons.
“Once I saw their mission, because it isn’t just single parents. It’s single parents dealing with cancer. After reading that, I was like, OK, that’s what I want to raise money for. I reached out, and now we’re here,” he told Arizona’s Family.
He started in sunny Orlando, Florida, and ended his journey in Seattle, Washington. The trek took him a little over seven months — 213 days exactly — to complete.
Ruiz raised a whopping $14,000 dollars for The Singletons, which helps restock households with essential supplies, nutritious meal kits, and birthday gifts for children.
“It was a literal rollercoaster, lots of ups and downs. But I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I’d do it again,” he told Arizona’s Family, adding that he’s “exhausted” and that it may take some time to recover.
The Singletons’ founder, Jody Boyd, said she’s “honored and grateful” for the donations, calling Ruiz “remarkable.”
“At any point, he could’ve just said, ‘Oh, I’ve had it,’ and just turned around and gone back. But he didn’t. He’s really an amazing person,” she said.
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