Brandon Bessette describes himself as a pretty typical upper middle-class white guy, a college student majoring in accounting. So why is he planning to run 100 miles for some grade-school backpacks?
It started in January, when the 22-year-old USF junior joined Big Brothers and started spending time at Shaw Elementary, one of the poorest schools in Tampa, where 96 percent of the students are on free or reduced lunches.
"You know there's poverty, and you know it exists, but it just didn't hit me until I saw it," Bessette said. "And the kids are such sweet kids … it kills me that they associate being white with being rich."
So here's Brandon's idea: After his final exam on Wednesday, he's going to run/walk from USF to the University of Central Florida in Orlando. He's dubbing the effort 100 Miles For a Needy Child on Facebook, and he's asking people to donate a backpack full of supplies to the school.
He's in good shape and can do a 10-mile run on a good day, but he's looking at more than 30 miles a day to reach Orlando by the end of the weekend.
Why take on such a task?
"You can sit there and donate money, but I think if you really challenge people, they respond and are more than willing to give," Bessette said. "I figure they'll think, 'That person ran 115 miles … . How can I not give something?' "
Principal Holly Saia is astounded by the young man.
"I had never had anybody offer to do something like that before," she said. "We've had many people offer to help in many ways … but to have a student go to the effort to go through something so physical like this is amazing."
His grandfather questioned him, suggesting he should devote himself to his studies and volunteer once he graduated.
"But these kids aren't getting any younger," Bessette said. "Should I put them on hold and say you guys need to wait because I have some things to do first? They have needs now and they need help now.
"If I don't do it, who will?"
>>Fast facts
To donate
E-mail Brandon Bessette at 1hundredmiles@gmail.com, call (352) 200-9937 or join the group 100 Miles For a Needy Child on Facebook. Or donations can be sent directly to principal Holly Saia at Shaw Elementary, 11311 N 15th St., Tampa, 33612.
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