MEMBER NEWS
Diversified Restaurant Holdings
Supports Man’s Cross-Country Walk for
Pulmonary Hypertension Association
T
here are some individuals who take it upon themselves
to make a tangible difference in the world. While most
of us want to bring about a positive change, more often than
not, we do not alter our lives around such endeavors, like
walking across the country. However, in the case of 79-yearold Don Stevenson, he has done so 20 times. Stevenson, or
the Pacing Parson as he become known, stopped by Diversified Restaurant Holdings’ (DRH) Buffalo Wild Wings® in
Sterling Heights, Michigan, Aug. 26, three months into his
20th cross-country charity walk.
Stevenson is a retired minister and former U.S. Marine
from the Seattle-area. He has been performing cross-country
charity walks since 1998 to raise money and awareness for
medical causes he supports. He walks 25-30 miles each day,
taking Sundays off to rest. His wife, Loretta, drives ahead of
him to secure lodging each night, which is often donated by
hotels.
A group photo with event attendees and Don Stevenson
(neon yellow shirt).
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The reason for his latest pilgrimage is to spread awareness for the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA).
The PHA is a community-based nonprofit that aims to find
ways to prevent and cure pulmonary hypertension (PH), and
to provide hope for those in the PH community through
support, education, research, advocacy and awareness.
Stevenson walked from his home outside of Seattle before
stopping at Buffalo Wild Wings® for the PHA Midwest Chapter’s Detroit O2 breathe Quarter Marathon fundraiser kickoff
event.
The event was set up by Colleen Ryan, who serves as
the development and special events manager of the Midwest
Chapter of the PHA. Several other representatives of the
PHA, who came to thank Stevenson for all of his efforts,
were also in attendance. Stevenson and his wife, Loretta, sat
and ate with Ryan and other PHA representatives for the
evening while speaking to various individuals who came out
to meet them.