"I never looked back:" Hundreds of people in Milwaukee to walk a mile for a special cause

MILWAUKEE -- This weekend, hundreds of people in Milwaukee will walk a mile for a special cause. They'll be learning what it's like to be homeless, but they'll be giving more than just their time.

Billy Ross is a changed man. A few years ago he was violating parole, using drugs, jobless and roaming the streets. But thanks to the Milwaukee Rescue Mission, and the family he's found along the way, he got a fresh start.

"I never looked back," said Billy Ross.

He and some of the others who have been helped by the mission are participating in a new event called "Walk-A-Mile." It's a walk that begins outside the shelter, and makes its way through the neighborhood, telling stories of those who've come through their doors along the way.

"It brings awareness that, you know what, everybody here is not out to use somebody or lazy or just won't get it right. Some of them are having very hard times," said Ross.

Going with the theme, Milwaukee Rescue Mission is asking for donations of new or gently used shoes.

"One of the things that we are always chronically in need of are good shoes," said Pat Vanderburgh, Executive Director of Milwaukee Rescue Mission.

The current supply of shoes at the Milwaukee Rescue Mission is not nearly enough to cover the thousands of people who will walk through their shelter doors in the next year. And if you look at the shelf, there aren't very many pairs of winter boots.

"A really essential thing to be able to give people during our Wisconsin winter," said Vanderburgh.

"I want everybody to have that love of God in them to give back," said Ross.

Even if you can't make it to the walk, Milwaukee Rescue Mission welcomes your donations of shoes for men, women and children.

You can register Saturday morning, November 14th at 9 a.m. outside the Milwaukee Rescue Mission at 19th and Wells. You can also sign up online.