At 6 feet 5 inches tall, Drew Johnson finds it difficult to sleep in his cramped 2002 Mazda Protege — the one with 153,000 miles on it. But some nights he has no choice. It’s all part of his high-mileage mission to volunteer a week in each of the 48 contiguous United States, all in 48 weeks.

Drew recently passed through Texas during the 18th week of his journey, dubbed “48 by 48.” After a couple of days in Dallas, he spent 24 hours in Waco and volunteered for three different organizations before shoving off for Houston, New Orleans and points east.

Despite the brevity of his visit, Drew said he felt a tremendous sense of community in Waco. From rural towns to urban cities, he said Americans are devoted to helping one another, and it has changed his outlook on mankind.

Idaho resident Drew Johnson is putting a lot of miles on his car during his mission to volunteer weekly in each of the 48 contiguous states. His trip through Texas brought him to Waco.
Photo by Rod Aydelotte

 “There are many people looking to help others with just what little they can,” he said. “It’s inspiring.”

In Waco, he served desserts and cleared tables at the Gospel Cafe one afternoon, shoveled manure from a dairy barn at World Hunger Relief Farm the next morning and then helped children make artwork at an after-school program at the Waco Arts Initiative.

That type of intense activity is typical for Drew, 30, who said he’s sometimes able to fall asleep easily in his Protege because of sheer physical exhaustion. He often selects destinations from recommendations and comments left on his blog at www.48by48.com. He heard about the Gospel Cafe from an acquaintance he met five years ago at the Crow Indian Reservation in Montana who now lives in Waco.

Drew said the cafe sounded unique, and he was eager to hand out plates of dessert and clear tables at the South Waco facility, which offers meals to all regardless of ability to pay. Many patrons asked about his travels. And with a friendly smile and approachable demeanor, he was happy to oblige.

He also took time to ask them about their travels and goals — a key part of his mission. “It’s so much fun hearing others’ stories,” he said. “Just to hear where people are in life is important.”

Indeed, his brief visit drew questions and praise for his mission.

“Drew is a traveling man, and he has a lot of good stories,” said CrossTies Ecumenical Church minister Marsha Martie, whose church operates the cafe. “We are especially grateful for him to visit here.”

Over the noise of clattering plates and chatter of the lunchtime crowd, Drew explained how a brief epiphany one morning in the shower at his home in Boise, Idaho, resulted months later in 48 by 48.

A native of southwest Minnesota, he grew up in a service-oriented family. His parents served Meals on Wheels and his grandparents volunteered in their community. He remembers volunteering on weekends from an early age, and he later dabbled in technology-related jobs and ministry. But he was uncertain about his true calling. 

Then came the idea for 48 by 48, which he calls a great adventure in which he hopes to not only find himself, but humanity as well.

Drew, who is single, started out in Arizona in November and has worked his way through most of the West and Midwest before heading south into Texas.

During his second day in Waco, he rose early to shovel manure at the World Hunger Relief Farm in Elm Mott. 

Drew said he had great conversa-tions with other farm volunteers and was very impressed with the work being done. The Christian-based nonprofit organization trains volunteers who go to Third World countries and help develop agricultural facilities. It also advocates a minimalist lifestyle and teaches conservation.

“It was a lot of fun,” he said. “I met a lot of people who were in the same boat with trying to figure out their life and, in the meantime, they are out there volunteering.”

That afternoon, he helped children at the Waco Arts Initiative make candles wrapped with colorful recycled papers.

“The kids are so excited to get that extra attention,” he said. “They said without this facility they would be sitting home watching TV, so it’s a great testimony to what they’re doing there.”

Drew admits that his previous perception of Waco was influenced by the Branch Davidian standoff in 1993, but now that has changed. And that has been common on this journey.

“Waco is such a neat community,” he said, “and they want to see people succeed. I’m all on board with that. There are some communities that I go in with preconceived ideas, and I’m always pleasantly changed after visiting.”

ONLINE

For more information about Drew Johnson, go to www.48by48.com.