Go Forth, and Skate the Path of Righteousness. But Avoid the Interstate!

Jack Sisson embarked on a cross-country excursion on June 10th, armed with nothing but the backpack on his back and the rollerblades on his feet. Inline skating from Yorktown, Virginia to San Francisco, California, Sisson is taking this three month sojourn from the day-to-day life of a Dartmouth junior to benefit international aid group Action Against Hunger /Action Contre la Faim (ACF). Sisson, who has been planning the trip for two years, set out to raise money and awareness for ACF’s life-saving humanitarian programs.

“I wanted to work with Action Against Hunger and help get resources and funding for the people in the world who I think need it most, those who lack food and clean water to drink.”

Jack Sisson, Cross-Country Inline Skater Extraordinaire

While Jack’s original intent was simply to have fun and seek adventure, he decided to take his cross-country excursion one step farther. After researching reputable nonprofit organizations on The American Institute of Philanthropy and Charity Navigator websites, Sisson decided to support Action Against Hunger because of its mandate and high ratings. He hopes to use his cross-country trip is to raise awareness about global hunger and “get resources and funding for the people in the world who I think need it most, those who lack food and clean water to drink.” According to the skater’s latest blog update, he has already reached New Mexico, traversing some 1,900 miles and raising $3,000 for the organization.

Rollerblading 3,800 miles across the U.S. is indeed an epic and daring feat, and has only been attempted by a few brave souls. As no established rollerblading routes currently exist for traversing the United States, Sisson has utilized the Trans-Am and Western Express routes laid out by the Adventure Cycling Association and made his own way.

Interested in more than just passing through, Jack enjoys chatting with the locals wherever he stops. In fact, Sisson relies on local advice to find the safest and most scenic routes—he recently chose to avoid Colorado, for example, after hearing of their road restrictions. Jack’s mother Ellen helps arrange his lodging by contacting churches along the way, and word of mouth seems to travel quickly as results have been very favorable.

“If you live close to my route and would be willing to let me camp in your yard, please contact me.” Asks Sisson humbly. “I will be camping most of the way, and would love to avoid as many campground fees as possible.”

The 21-year-old is currently double majoring in math and music at Dartmouth College and will be a senior next year. Besides skating for hunger, this busy student is an ultimate frisbee fanatic, plays guitar in Dartmouth’s Barbary Coast Jazz Ensemble, and has a long held interest in endurance sports. Friendly and affable, Jack keeps a blog where he writes of all the interesting people he has met along the way. Despite the strenuous journey, Sisson has managed to make friends and even play some golf during his days off.

When asked about his post-graduation plans, Jack says he’s keeping further humanitarian work in mind: “It’s something I would definitely like to do at some point, maybe even for a very extended period of time, but at this point I really have no idea what my plans are.”

Jack hopes to complete his trip by the beginning of September. Everyone here at Action Against Hunger wants to salute Jack for his generous efforts and selfless support. We wish him luck and a safe journey!

To find out more about Sisson’s cross-country adventure, or to read his blog, visit: http://www.skateforhunger.com/

(“Go forth, and Skate the Path of Righteousness” is a quote from the 1992 motion picture “Legend of the Rollerblade Seven.”)