70-Year-Old Veteran Walks 50,000 Steps to Support Valley Nonprofit

Seventy-year-old Rob Hartley completed a roughly 50,000-step walk from downtown Indio to downtown Palm Springs on Friday, all in support of a local nonprofit. Hartley began his journey at 10 a.m. and arrived in Palm Springs just before 6 p.m., finishing the long trek nearly eight hours later.

NBC Palm Springs reporter Brett Rosen met Hartley shortly after he crossed the finish line.

“This is the exact spot I met with Rob Hartley just about 40 minutes ago,” Rosen said during a live report from downtown Palm Springs. “Like you said, he walked roughly 50,000 steps today, all for a great cause.”

Hartley’s walk was dedicated to The Refuge Pregnancy Center, a nonprofit that provides free services to women facing unplanned pregnancies. Those services include counseling, prenatal classes, and ultrasounds.

Michael Stearns, director of The Refuge Pregnancy Center, says many of the women who come through their doors are unsure and overwhelmed.

“When they walk in, there’s usually no smile on their face,” Stearns said. “They’re not sure what’s going to happen next. Projects like the Kindness Walk help get our message out and allow us to continue offering these services at no cost.”

Hartley, a veteran who has spent years serving others, says his desire to give back didn’t stop after retirement. His “Kindness Walk” has already raised thousands of dollars for nonprofits over the years, though the project was paused during the pandemic.

Friday’s walk marks the beginning of a new chapter.

“I’ll be walking until July 4, 2026,” Hartley said. “And when that’s over, I’ll go into the next phase — my goal is 75 countries, 75 million steps, on my 75th birthday.”

Hartley says donations are encouraged, no matter the amount, and every step he takes is dedicated to helping those in need across the Coachella Valley and beyond.

Those interested in learning more about the Kindness Walk or contributing to the nonprofits Hartley supports can find more information on Little Green Apples Project.