Near the end of the 2021 summer, two brothers set off on an epic journey that had an amazing goal: to see the US and help those in need.
Aiden and Louis Ardine, both graduates of the Rutgers University in New Jersey, who’re in their late 20s work in the restaurant industry which was among the industries that suffered the most because of the pandemic.
They were eager to help charities that donate to restaurants and be of aid during these challenging times. They amassed $70,000 in donations from people who wanted them to keep going!
They asked people to donate to their self-made walk-a-thon. Their initial goal was $30,000 but it was quickly surpassed.
Brothers’ Epic Trek through the US to Help the Restaurant Industry
Their trek started on the Asbury Park boardwalk in New Jersey and ended when the duo reached the Pacific Ocean, some 3200 miles later.
They walked around 20 miles daily and went through 11 states. They encountered stunning sceneries, amazing and kind strangers, and unique wildlife.
All of their epic trekking was documented on their Instagram. Aiden says that there’s plenty of beauty in the US and it’s not just nature, but also the people.
One time when they walked along a roadside with heat reaching 100 degrees in Nebraska, one stranger pulled over and handed them a refreshing and cold Gatorade.
People also invited them to dinner with their families. One Iowa couple treated them with homemade macaroni and cheese and yummy steak. Louis described their unique journey as amazing and said how they always tried to look for the best in people and they found it.
When the brothers were at the Wasatch Mountains of Utah, they encountered a black bear, but it all went well because they got away safely.
They say they’re very grateful and joyful, although exhausted because they knew they were doing something amazing for others. The brothers reached elevations of up to 12,000 feet and also experienced extreme cold and heat.
The donations kept coming and they kept going. When they reached San Francisco, their family and supporters waited for them.
Aiden noted that this trek would’ve been impossible without the community and people who donated and the people who navigated them through the US. It was an unforgettable adventure and showed them that people are good and helpful.
Where Did the Brothers Donate the $70,000?
After finishing their trek and gathering the amazing donations, they divided the sum between various nonprofits that assist food workers, i.e. the Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation and the COCO Fund.
Aiden is planning to write a book about their coast-to-coast journey.
Sources:
