TAKING THE WALK IN INDIANAPOLIS

One of the things I love most about Hanson is the charity work they do for Africa. In 2006, Isaac, Taylor and Zac met with friends in Tulsa who had created a technology that would easily allow HIV/AIDS patients to keep in touch with their doctors. This company, Docvia Technologies, provides this service free of charge to benefit the millions of people in Africa afflicted by this horrible disease. Following this conversation, a trip to South Africa was planned. The Hansons were not sure what role they would yet play, but they were determined to take some form of action.

The trip to South Africa was life changing for Hanson. While there they recorded the song "Great Divide" with a South African children's choir. This song became a charity single on iTunes, in which proceeds were donated to the Perinatal HIV Research Unit at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto, South Africa (one of the world's leading AIDS research and treatment centers).

About a year later another trip to Africa followed. They visited a community safe house that was made possible by the funds generated from the sale of the charity single. Because of this, 2,000 children were able to gain access to healthcare and education.

After this trip, Hanson forged a partnership with Tom's Shoes. The mission of Tom's Shoes is known as "One for One". For every pair of shoes sold, Tom's donates a pair of shoes to a child in need. At this time Tom's had a goal to sell 50,000 pairs of shoes to donate to kids in South Africa. This is when the idea for the walks came about. Hanson proposed that in every city on their upcoming tour (The Walk Tour) they would gather fans before each concert for a one-mile, barefoot walk. The purpose of being barefoot was that it would allow others to connect with the basic needs of the children in Africa. The first walk took place in Nashville on September 10, 2007. Although they weren't sure if anyone would show up, about 150 arrived to walk. Through the walks, the goal of 50,000 shoes was met, and Hanson again traveled to Africa to participate in a "shoe drop" with Tom's.

It has now been a little over two years since that first walk, and the movement has really evolved into something wonderful. Many fans (myself included!) have taken it upon themselves to register and sponsor their own walks. Goals have been met in providing clean water, education, shoes, medical technologies, and medication. Check out www.takethewalk.net for more information.

And now...the Indianapolis walk...my 5th with Hanson (4th one barefoot!).