After nine years and 297 sandy miles, Theo Davis shall commence his 10th – and final – 33 mile Fire Island Walk to benefit Make-a-Wish of Metro New York on Saturday, September 11, 2010. Since 2001, Theo has raised over $45,000 for Make-a-Wish of Metro New York.

All checks should be made payable to “Make-A- Wish Foundation of Metro New York” and sent c/o Theodore Davis at: 172 Fifth Avenue, PMB 178, Brooklyn, New York, 11217.

Since 2001, I’ve walked the length of Fire Island in August. This year, it’s September 11.

On the second Tuesday in September, after my first Walk, everyone lives’ changed. For some, more than most of us can ever fathom. I’ve kept walking. I do this for the kids. And, on the second Tuesday in September, 2008, I became a father. Kelsey made the second Tuesday in September a blessed day for me.

I started walking in the memory a beautiful infant who didn’t see 2000. The Walk has continued thanks to the generosity of friends and strangers. We’ve raised a lot of money for Make-a-Wish. My love for Fire Island is deeper than the pirate sands upon which I trod. And my gratitude for my own healthy, happy little daughter is profound, humbling, and immeasurable.

But now I’m 43 and this freaking thing is killing me.

We’ve raised over $45,000 since 2001. Let’s dig some footprints in the sand one more time. Help me raise $60,000. We can do this together. It’s for the kids.

And, every penny you send will go directly to Make-A-Wish.

Please send pledges via E-mail to: tdavisph@gmail.com. Checks should only be made payable to "Make-a-Wish of Metro New York" and mailed to Mr. Davis at 172 Fifth Avenue, PMB 178, Brooklyn, NY 11217. Email: tdavisph@gmail.com

Please click here for link to the 2010 interview of Mr. Davis by Brooklyn author, Norris Edmunds.

Please click here for link to the official 2010 Make-a-Wish of Metro New York Press release.

Under a full moon on Thursday, August 6, Theo commenced his 9th annual 33 mile Fire Island Walk to benefit Make-a-Wish of Metro New York. This was his first year doing his Walk as an overnight attempt. Walking alone with his headlamp illuminating the glowing eyes of Fire Island's nocturnal fauna, Theo made it 27 miles to Kismet before "retiring" at 9AM, utterly exhausted. Walking at night is less oppressive than walking under the blazing August sun, but, sleep deprivation and lack of food takes its toll. On Saturday, August 15, he picked up where he left off, traversing the final 6 miles to Democrat Point, Fire Island's western tip. We have received over $4,000 in pledges this year, and hope to collect $6,000 by Thanksgiving. It's not too late to make a pledge for the 2009 Walk!

All checks should be made payable to “Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York” and sent c/o Theodore Davis at: 172 Fifth Avenue, PMB 178, Brooklyn, New York, 11217.

Despite recessions, blisters and the occasional sand flea, yes, I'm doing it again! Since 2001, I've raised nearly $41,000 for Make-A-Wish of Metro New York. This year presents a new twist... I will be walking the entire 33-mile coastline of Fire Island in one night, under the full moon, on August 6, 2009.

May I ask you to make a pledge? Despite the short notice this year, pledges and donations are accepted at any time, but the sooner the better as Make-A-Wish can immediately use the funds as they come in!

Most folks pledge a buck a mile, some pledge even more, but any sum is greatly appreciated. Make-A-Wish is an organization that grants the wishes of children facing life-threatening medical conditions, and with your pledge, we can reach our goal of raising $6,000 this year, with every penny going directly to Make-A-Wish.

Please send pledges via email to: tdavisph@gmail.com. Checks should only be made payable to "Make-a-Wish of Metro New York" and mailed to Mr. Davis at 172 Fifth Avenue, PMB 178, Brooklyn, NY 11217.

Suggested donation levels: Bigfoot: $10 per mile = $330 Long March: $5 per mile = $165 Sandcastle: $2 per mile = $66 Footprints: $1 per mile = $33 Also, please help us get the word out to your friends and/or colleagues who may be interested in this worthy cause... join my Facebook group at www.facebook.com and invite your connections to join as well. The group name is "Walk for a Wish." Together we will once again accomplish a great thing.

Your support is greatly appreciated... see you at the beach!

Email: tdavisph@gmail.com

Please click here for link to the 2009 interview of Mr. Davis by Brooklyn author, Norris Edmunds.

2008 Was Great!

On Sunday, August 24, 2008 Theo completed his eighth annual, 33 mile walk over the length of Fire Island to raise funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York. Since 2001, his walks have raised nearly $41,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York. The 2008 Walk raised over $4,500.

Theo was joined for the entire length of the Walk by retired US Marine and present US Park Ranger Ed Arias. Mr. Arias traveled to Fire Island all the way from his home in San Francisco! Ed and Ted’s 33 mile adventure began on Saturday, August 23, and the US Park Service was able to provide lodging on Saturday night in Davis Park, the mid-way point of Fire Island. They reached Democrat Point - the western tip of Fire Island – late on Sunday afternoon, August 24.

We raised over $10,500 this year!

As of December 7, 2007, Theo's generous sponsors have come through and sent in over $10,500 of checks payable to "Make-a-Wish of Metro New York" for this year's Fire Island Walk-for-a-Wish. That is nearly $4,500 more than Theo's 2006 Walk, smashing his previous record of $6,123 in annual pledges received. Since 2001, Theo has raised more than $36,000 for Make-a-Wish of Metro New York. In addition, Great South Bay magazine published Theo's 2007 narrative detailing his experiences in completing this year's 33 mile Fire Island Walk. GSB magazine published the narrative in three installments via their October, November and December, 2007 editions.

On Saturday, August 25, 2007, Theo successfully completed his seventh annual, 33 Mile Fire Island Walk to raise money for Make-a-Wish of Metro New York in a time of just under 14 hours. He aims to raise $10,000 this year, and has received nearly $8,000 in pledges to date. These sums should eclipse last year’s record of $6,123 in paid pledges! So many generous people have pledged from $20 to $1000 for this year’s Walk; some folks provided transportation; and, Theo was assisted in great part by the marketing efforts of Mrs. April Burggraf, in her first year as the Development and Communications Director for the 33 Mile Fire Island Walk-for-a-Wish.

As seen below, Theo's fundraising Walk was featured in the Winter 2006 - 2007 official newsletter of the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Metro New York.

Best wishes!

This is the first time that Theo's fundraising efforts have raised over $6,000 in one year. Theo's fundraising Walk was recently featured in the Winter 2006 - 2007 official newsletter of the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Metro New York

On Saturday, August 27, 2005, Theo Davis will attempt his sixth annual, 33 mile walk (east to west) of the entire length of Fire Island to raise funds for Make-a-Wish of Metro New York http://www.volunteernyc.org/org/1475082.html

In the predawn hours, Theo shall once again be ferried to the eastern tip of the Fire Island National seashore at the Moriches Inlet, where he will then paddle ashore in an inflatable raft at sunrise. After hitting the beach and dispatching his landing craft, he will head west along the shoreline to the western terminus of Fire Island, Democrat Point, 33 sandy miles away. During his 2004 Walk, News 12 Long Island met Theo at mile 28, and broadcast the interview on its evening news addition (click under photo to view broadcast). And last year, columnist Denis Hamil published an article Theo's 2005 Walk in the August 22, 2005 edition of the New York Daily News ("Keeping Faith in Troubled Times")

Over the past five Walks, Theo has raised over $25,000 for Make-a-Wish of Metro New York. Most sponsors pledge a dollar amount per mile ($1, $3, $5) with the greatest single pledge totaling $500. His 8 year old nephew has even pledged 25 cents per mile this year (but has declined his uncle's invitation to join him on the Walk).

Your pledge is greatly appreciated for this wonderful charity. To make a pledge, please E-mail Theo at tdavisph@aol.com, or call him at 917-916-6789. Or, simply mail your pledge, payable to "Make-a-Wish" to:
Theodore M. Davis, Esq
172 Fifth Avenue, PMB 178
Brooklyn, New York 11217

Thanks and best wishes!