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Behind rough exterior, beats heart of gold for ‘Harry Hippie’
Timothy B. Watt, better known as Harry Hippie, has been traveling the state of Indiana for more than two years as part of his Hike to Benefit Hoosier Homeless initiative and could, until Monday, be found collecting donations throughout Greencastle.
Beginning his trek in Indianapolis in November of 2014 (during National Homelessness and Hunger Awareness Week), the Valparaiso native has pledged to visit all of Indiana's 92 counties to spread awareness of the homeless and those in need while collecting donations for at least nine charitable organizations in each county he visits.
And with Putnam County being the 49th on his list, his donations have rung true, touching a variety of organizations around the area Monday.
"Tuesdays are my moving day to the next county, but Mondays are my paydays for nine local charities," Watt said Monday at the Putnam County Public Library. "I'm making donations to Putnam County Family Support Services, the United Way of Putnam County, the Putnam County Community Foundation, Beyond Homeless Inc., the Putnam County Emergency Food Pantry, the Two Fish food pantry in Bainbridge, the St. Andrew's Episcopal Church non-food pantry, the Greencastle Christian Church food pantry and the New Providence Baptist Church food pantry.
"I have a very strict tithing schedule that I adhere to," Watt continued, saying he uses 10 percent of all cash donations to continue his journey, which lacks vehicles and hotel rooms. "This week my total tithes were $729, or $81 apiece for the nine local charities."
Donations from passersby are Watt's primary means of raising money. Though a GoFundMe account exists for the hike, Watt said it simply does not accrue enough money and the account has since been abandoned.
"People either give to me on the street or they follow me on Facebook and try to plan where I'm at," Watt added.
Planning to end his tour back in Indianapolis where it first began, Watt said the two-year journey has taken a bit longer than expected.
"I had it designed to be exactly two years, to where I would end up that same week in Indianapolis, but I have had to put it on hold a couple of times," Watt said. "It's actually going to take me three years to complete -- I'm scheduled now to finish up in October of (2017)."
Watt, originally from northern Indiana, has made his way southward and is currently eying the southern half of the state. His 50th county will be Parke as he heads to Rockville today (Tuesday).
Asked if he sees himself as a philanthropist, Watt instead had a rather unique way of labeling himself.
"I've halfway jokingly come up with a name for my occupation," Watt said. "I am an itinerant mendicant missionary ... an itinerant is basically someone who moves around and travels a lot; mendicant is your old-time hermit beggars like St. Francis of Assisi, basically just begging for alms and giving it to charity. That's my occupation description."
And when asked how he gets back and forth between cities, Watt simply said he either receives help from sympathetic travelers -- or walks.
"I do not ask anyone specifically for anything, but if they offer then I gladly accept it," Watt said. "Out of 49 counties, I did walk the entire distance, one time, between New Castle and Richmond. I've often started out walking but people pick me up and take me the rest of the way in. The last time I've actually walked was in early August when I left Crown Point for Kentland -- I got about 10 miles south, pushing Dolly my shopping cart and a couple of guys with a pickup stopped and took me the rest of the way."
Watt, who does not merely act the part, has taken his initiative to the next level by becoming the very thing he so strongly supports.
"Right now this is all I'm doing," Watt said. "This is pretty much my life, my occupation, and right now it's my passion. I hope to keep the passion after I'm done with it and keep involved in political activism for homelessness and hunger. I hope to write a book about this experience and live off of the proceeds of that."
Those interested in finding Watt and donating to his cause may seek information through his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TimothyBWatt. He can now be found in Rockville beginning today (Tuesday) through Monday, Dec. 5.