Craig Messmer is plenty familiar with long commutes. The principal at Leonard V. Moore Middle School in Roselle lives in Pennsylvania, and he drives about 60 miles each way while traveling to and from the school.
“I have probably the longest commute in the entire district,” Messmer laughed.
Saturday will feature another day of travel, but it will all be confined to Roselle.
Messmer will walk the streets of the Union County town in an effort to honor students and sixth-grade graduates from his school, while also raising money to support them.
The journey will start at 5 a.m., and Messmer plans to walk for 19 hours until midnight. The trek is expected to cover nearly 59 miles.
Along with schools around New Jersey, Leonard V. Moore Middle School was forced into remote learning at the start of the coronavirus outbreak, and sixth graders didn’t get the chance to finish out their final months before moving on to junior high.
Messmer wanted to make the walk to honor those students that have been confined to their homes for months.
“I wanted do something for the sixth graders that weren’t getting any of their end-of-the-year activities — all the graduation stuff, year-book signing and pizza day that we normally do,” Messmer said. “So I came up with this idea. COVID-19, 19-hour walk. I’m just gonna try to go up and down every street in the town.”
Messmer launched a GoFundMe with a goal of raising $1,900 to help some Roselle families that have been affected during the pandemic. As of Friday night, nearly $3,000 had been donated.
The walk has a theme of “Challenge yourself during challenging times,” and Messmer said he hoped to show his students that extraordinary things can be done under trying circumstances.
“Principal Messmer is the perfect example of the type of dedication and commitment that Roselle Public Schools educators have to their students,” Interim Schools Superintendent Dr. James Baker said. “We have high hopes that this fundraiser will be able to provide some relief to those in need within our Roselle community.”
Due to continued social distancing guidelines, students won’t be walking with Messmer on his journey, but he’s encouraged them to step outside to give a wave as he passes.
But walking by and giving a small token of appreciation is enough for Messmer, and he’s happy to be raising money for the families of students.
“The support has come from teachers, come from people in the community, from family,” Messmer said. “A lot of it has come from outside of Roselle, so people that maybe have a little bit more and are able to bring it to people that need a little bit more, has felt really good. It’s been a real team effort. ... I think we’ve got a shot at doubling the original goal, which would be great.”
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Chris Ryan may be reached at cryan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ChrisRyan_NJ. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.