By DIANE WETZEL
Published: Saturday, September 6, 2008 4:34 AM CDT
The North Platte Telegraph
Tommy Carmargo isn’t going to wait for the official start of the 2008 North Platte Memory Walk, to begin at 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 14. Carmargo plans to begin walking around Cody Park at 9 a.m., with a goal of walking 30 miles.
“I’m starting early, so I don’t end up finishing in the dark this year,” Carmargo said.
It began with a casual challenge.
“During an Eagles Club meeting, our secretary read a letter encouraging us to take part in the walk,” Carmargo said. “Someone commented that they always took part, and out of the blue, I said I would challenge them, that I would raise more money.”
That was in 2003, and Carmargo walked 12½; miles and raised $750.
Since then, Carmargo has increased the number of miles he walks and the amount he raises, an amount that is matched by the national Eagles.
“The second year I walked 20 miles, and raised $1,500,” he said. “The third year I walked 25 miles and got blisters so bad I couldn’t go to work.”
Last year, Carmargo walked 25 miles and raised $5,000.
“I got smarter last year, and changed my shoes and socks every five miles,” Carmargo said. “I was able to go to work the next day. And we were able to present a check for $10,000.”
Memory Walk organizer Helen Bell says Carmargo’s commitment is amazing.
