History of TREK
In July, 1990, to celebrate my 48th birthday, I started making a 13 mile trek alone on foot from the bank of Green River in Calhoun to my West Louisville home to celebrate and give thanks for another year of good health. My family has a strong McLean County heritage and I felt combining McLean and Daviess Counties in this trek gave it special meaning. After a few years, I invited some friends to join with me. After a couple more years, we felt that the event was too good to keep to ourselves so it was decided to turn it into a benefit for a deserving charity. We selected the St. Joseph’s Peace Mission For Children, a home for children organized as a non-profit charity on September 27, 1996.
The first Annual TREK to honor St. Joseph’s Peace Mission was held July 13, 1998. For many years, we gathered at my home in West Louisville, then traveled by Bowen Tire Co. trucks (Jerry and Joe) and private vehicles to the Green River in Calhoun where the TREK began, ending at my home where we held a picnic in the yard and swam in the pool. The 2003 and 2004 TREKS ended at the St. Raphael Picnic site until we rebuilt our home after a June 6, 2003 fire. Over the years, hundreds of volunteers have stepped up and helped. Our initial fund raising goal in 1998 was $5,000. With increased demands for services, now we try very hard to reach an annual goal of $70,000.
St. Joseph’s Peace Mission was born from the Daviess County community’s outrage over the 1995 murder of four-year old Phillip Strain. Located at 1328 West Third Street in Owensboro, Kentucky, a first co-ed home was dedicated June 12, 1999. A new home for only boys ages 12 - 18 was dedicated in 2010 and serves as the only area treatment facility for boys. A girls only home for ages 12-18 was established in 2019 and is one of few facilities in the state of the Kentucky that accepts pregnant teens or teen mothers. With these three facilities, the Mission now provides residential facilities for any child in crisis that is in and around the Owensboro area.
Year after year, people return to once more give thanks for another year of good health and to assist others in completing their desired individual journeys. And, as the popularity of the rite has grown, each year has brought many first time participants who want to share in the great fun and good cause of the day. Every year those who participate leave stating that they are unaware of any other community event where for a period of 4 - 5 hours, hundreds of folks can gather together - of all races, religious heritages and backgrounds - and there is no ill word spoken about another; no use of alcohol or tobacco or illegal drugs; no necessity of “winning” or “defeating” another’s performance; and no reason to be together except to share in a personal physical experience which mostly benefits someone other than ourselves. Sincere thanks to the Board and Committee members for their dedicated service through these many years.
There is no finish line.
- David L. Yewell
"Founder of The TREK"
