A SIU-Carbondale graduate student is just over halfway through a 23-hundred mile trek down the Mississippi River.
Greg Nejmanowski is the coordinator of SIU Touch of Nature's Veteran Adventures Program, which recently lost an Illinois state grant. He is taking the summer long adventure to raise awareness and enlist support for the program through Paddle for Patriots.
In a Facebook video post, he announced a stop this Saturday for a planned fundraiser at St. Nicholas Landmark along the river in Chester from noon to 3 p.m.
"They are giving 10 percent of the total purchases that you guys make. So, the more you guys eat, the more you drink... responsibly...the more you guys are going to be donating towards Paddle for Patriots. Come show your support, come support veterans."
Nejmanowski began his journey at the source of the Mississippi River in Itasca State Park, Minnesota in May. His goal is to reach the Gulf of Mexico in August. He's raised over 30-percent of his 25-thousand dollar goal.
To follow his journey, see the Paddle for Patriots Facebook page.
To learn more about the fundraising effort, click here.