Pennies of Promise

On August 2nd, Grandfather Ed Wiley left Charleston, WV to walk to Washington DC to raise awareness and funds to build a new Marsh Fork Elementary School. 40 days and 455 miles later, Ed Wiley reached Washington DC on September 13th. Met by many supporters at the Arlington Memorial Bridge, we all walked under the big (now faded) purple flag declaring “Every child deserve a safe and healthy school in their community.”

More people joined us at the Washington Monument before walking that final mile up to Senator Byrd’s office. After running into security issues surrounding the big blow up picture, Ed and Debbie were taken up to meet with Byrd’s staff. This meeting did not last long as the staff took Ed and Debbie on the subway to Byrd’s chambers where Byrd listened and said he would “leave no rock unturned” while looking for ways to get money for a new school in the community.

We had planned on Ed and Debbie coming back to the Washington Monument to walk parade style up to the press conference on Capital Hill, but since the meeting with Byrd took longer than expected, 50 people met them halfway there. Still more were waiting at the press conference and Ed told his story one more time to 80 supporters and the press.

Thanks to all the folks out there who supported Pennies of Promise and made this walk possible. And the Governor could still use a call.

Bottom Photo Credit to Harry Hamburg of the AP.

The Whole Walk

Background

For more information and videos, check out www.PenniesOfPromise.org