(ARA) - Many Americans gladly donate time and money to their favorite causes. But not many take the steps -- literally -- that Mike Kanarick and his wife Liz Kleinberg have to increase public awareness about abused and neglected children and raise money to support the work of the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA).

The Alabama couple began hiking the Appalachian Trail on March 24, 2003, setting off from Amicalola Falls in Georgia. They expect to reach the other end of the 2,000-mile trail, Mt. Katahdin in Maine, in October. With each step, the couple demonstrates their commitment to our most vulnerable children. With each mile, they raise funding through individual sponsorships; commitments range from a few cents a mile to a dollar per mile.

Kanarick is a former assistant U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama and press secretary for former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman; when his candidate lost the election last November, Kanarick decided to hit the trail for CWLA. Kleinberg is an attorney who worked for the Hon. Ed Carnes, United States Circuit Court Judge of the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Montgomery, Ala. During their months on the trail, these champions for children have faced hardships including heat, cold, rain, snakes and bears, not to mention constant togetherness -- the one “hardship” they have come to treasure!

Siegelman was the first to donate to the couple’s cause. He noted in his public comments that he was proud and delighted that Mike and Liz had decided to lend a hand to children as part of their adventure. More importantly, he challenged all of us to action by noting that their commitment showed how every one of us, whether a public official or a private citizen, can make a difference in the lives of children.

Siegelman is right! Mike and Liz’s determination and dedication is an example for all to follow. Indeed, we need more champions for children at all levels. As a nation, we are faced with nearly three million reports of child abuse and neglect each year. Many experts believe this number is only the tip of the iceberg and there are many more children in need. Children deserve advocates in their communities who are willing to step forward with an individual commitment to make a difference in children’s lives.

Kanarick and Kleinberg reached the unofficial halfway mark in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia over the 4th of July weekend. They were greeted by cheering kids from a West Virginia foster care program. Mike told me that while on the trail there were times that it was not easy to summon the energy needed to keep going. As I watched him scan the group of children who had gathered to celebrate their journey, he quickly added that seeing the kids’ appreciation made all the little hardships they have gone through disappear and helped to renew the commitment he and Liz had made to make it to Maine.

At a time when this country is so focused on our security and our economic future, it is reaffirming to know that Mike and Liz are willing to remind us that perhaps our highest priority needs to remain the safety and security of our children. I look forward to greeting them in Maine in October as they start the hike to the summit of Mt. Katahdin.

Kanarick and Kleinberg have raised about $40,000 so far for CWLA. For more information, log onto www.cwla.org. You can make a donation, find out more about the couple and follow their journey through their online journal.