Andre Eloumou of France, is running from Brooklyn, N.Y. to Los Angeles, Calif. Thus far he has run a total of 1,400 miles.

Andre has several reasons for the run.

He wants to raise awareness about the plight of immigrants and refugees who suffer a myriad of problems in order to give their families a better life.

Case in point is his father, who emigrated from Cameroon to France in 1971. Andre believes that raising money to build schools is the best weapon to combat people’s negative feelings toward immigration. If people truly knew the hardships immigrants go through, they wouldn’t be so quick to judge.

He believes that education can help stamp out hatred, even when we may not agree with one another’s political views.

Andre also wants to pay tribute to America’s great pioneers who forged their way across the country in order to make a better life for their families.

Andre noted how nice the people in Ellsworth are, and how a couple of Ellsworth’s volunteer fire fighters came and visited with him. Overall, he has had a lot of support during his run.

Andre still has a ways to go. His ultimate stop will be in Los Angeles. Pretty soon he will have to brave the cold and the snow. He is not alone in his quest. Phillip Skow is following him in a supply van in case he should need any assistance.

What’s ahead for Andre after the run? He wants to give seminars and be a motivational speaker to people around the country and around the globe. He focus is on helping others. He would even like to make a movie someday. He plans to do another race, this time he wants to organize a relay with several people involved.