Michael “Cappi” Capozzoli a resident of Sedona, Arizona is walking from California to Massachusetts. On May 30, 2018 he stopped in for a visit to The Edmond Rotary Club where he asked no more from the Rotarians than a penny to help build a safe house for abused children and their pets. Rotarians at the noon lunch meeting collected $210.
Pictured: Jessica Lyle, Rotary President – Elect and Michael “Cappi” Capozzoli
He is walking to help draw attention to his “Just a Penny Please” Foundation. His journey will take him through 10 states – from Dana Point on the golden coast of California straight to the gates of Fenway Park in Boston. He began his trek on February 1, 2018 and if his calculations are correct, he’ll arrive just in time for his 67th birthday in late September.
Thirty-nine years ago, Cappi volunteered at a safe house and witnessed a two year old who had been a victim of abuse and was immediately moved. “I made a commitment to my maker that I would do something about it if I could, “Cappi told those present at the May 30th Edmond Rotary Club meeting. As a former race walker who participated in the 2013 Senior Olympics, Cappi is stepping up to raise $250,000 to build a safe house, which comes out to about 25 million pennies; of that he has already raised 3.3 million pennies or $33,000.
Capozzoli hopes to cover 13 to 16 miles each day. He will sleep in his camper trailer, driven by a friend along the way. His trek will take him from California to Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and ultimately Boston, Massachusetts. All in all, he will travel 3,000 miles and take 5,000,000 steps.
To follow Cappi’s progress or make a donation to his cause please visit www.justapennyplease.org.