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  • By Amber Sutton

    Meet Me Halfway
March 5, 2010

Takin’ it to the highway of life

Twin Cities: Nashville man travels country for homeless children, young adults

By AMBER DAVENPORT SUTTON

Jimmy Wayne, of Nashville, Tenn., knows all too well what it’s like to have no place to call home. Wayne grew up in a variety of foster and group homes, and occasionally found himself homeless as a teen. At the age of 16, he was given a second chance by Bea and Russell Costner, who took him into their home and gave him a second chance. The couple’s generosity made a positive impact on the then teen and will never be forgotten.

“Bea and Russell took a chance on me, and I was certainly no poster child for adoption,” Wayne said. “I was this teenager with long hair and tattoos, but they saw past that to the scared kid I was. They met me halfway by offering me a place to live and the opportunity to go back to school. In turn, I had to meet them halfway by helping myself, which meant studying, doing chores and following their rules. They provided me with a way to help myself make a life. They gave me a home with love and respect.”

With so many people losing their homes recently to decaying real estate and financial markets, Wayne’s concern for the welfare of the homeless has deepened.

“Our country is too great for us to have people suffering like they are. The events of the past several months have increased the number of people, especially children and young adults, without a place to sleep,” said Wayne, a country music recording artist. “We, as a nation, have to end homelessness and we’ve got to help these kids.”

And so, Wayne’s “Meet Me Halfway” campaign began on Jan. 1, when he began his walk halfway across America. His walk began in Nashville and will end in Phoenix, Ariz.

Wayne traveled through Hartshorne and Haileyville last week.

“I made a little bit of money in the music industry last year and have a little time off,” he said. “I want to give back and draw awareness to this growing problem.”

Wayne has selected HomeBase Youth Services as the recipient of any donations people may care to make.

“This organization works with the young adults,” he explained. “HomeBase, like most other charitable organizations, has been hit hard by the economic woes of the country.”

According to Wayne, his small bit of celebrity may help him raise awareness of this situation; that there are kids and young people out there who need help. “I'm not asking people to come walk with me, but I am asking them to meet me halfway by getting involved,” he said. “Donate money, adopt a child, learn more about the foster child/foster parent programs in your area.”

Marmot Sportswear is providing Wayne with essential cold weather clothing for “Meet Me Halfway.”

For additional information, visit www.jimmywayne.com. To learn more about HomeBase or to make a donation, visit www.hbys.org.

Amber Sutton Davenport is a staff writer for the Hartshorne Sun.

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