RALEIGH -- Clayton standup comedian Dan Pace is letting his feet help the country's homeless population. Pace visited the downtown Raleigh Rescue Mission Friday, the second stop on a cross-country trek raising funds for city rescue missions. The journey, "Faith Walk 2010," began at the Smithfield Rescue Mission on Wednesday and aims to raise $100,000 for the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions in Colorado Springs, Colo.
"There is a principle at play in the universe that applies to every religion," Pace said. "What you put into this world is what you get back. I'm looking forward to meeting these people and hearing their stories."
Pace, 44, plans eight other stops on his 2,400-mile tour, scheduled to end in Las Vegas in March.
It is a fitting destination, Pace said, because he became interested in helping the homeless while performing in Las Vegas in 2008, when he encountered a tent city of homeless people.
"I saw a lady come out of a tent and hang up some laundry," Pace said. "I was haunted by that image. That woman was doing all she could to recall living in her house."
Pace's walk follows in the footsteps of a former pastor who trekked from Buffalo, N.Y., to Mexico in 1988.
Pace, a Christian, said he will follow the same formula, walking 20 miles a day Mondays through Fridays, making up the unfinished miles on Saturday and resting on Sunday.
Close friend David Hunter is driving a recreational vehicle that the two will sleep in every night of the tour. Margie Olsen, director of women's services at Smithfield's mission, said such a grueling schedule will strengthen Pace's religious beliefs.
"This should be a rewarding personal experience for him," she said. "It will deepen his relationship with the Lord."
Pace said faith plays a big part in his journey. The six months required for the quest forced him to cancel some comedy gigs, and he worked as a McDonald's manager to make up for lost income.
"If people in our community can have a better understanding of the homeless, they can better help them," said Leslie Currin, the Raleigh Rescue Mission's spokeswoman. "If Dan can help that by raising awareness, it will ... make Raleigh a better place."
The road forward is a long one, but Pace said he's ready. Natural Balance of Raleigh gave him long-distance walking shoes, and the Australian company GoBible donated a dual MP3 player/audio Bible device. A can of mace will hang at his side in case he comes across danger.
Most important, Pace said, he will bring his sense of humor.
"This is more athletic than mere meandering," he said. "I can eat anything I want now!"
