Arriving in New Orleans was a feeling of accomplishment like none other. Ball State junior Ben Poor couldn't compare anything to the challenge of the 820-mile journey he undertook.

After walking for 45 days, Poor reached his final destination—New Orleans—and raised more than $11,000 for Hurricane Katrina relief.

Poor, a business student from Greenfield, Indiana, hopes his journey will lead to other philanthropic opportunities possibly within the military, the Peace Corps, politics, or public speaking.

"I feel like whatever I choose to do, after doing this walk I can really do anything," he said.

During a family vacation in Europe, Poor was inspired to walk for a cause.

"I can't even explain it," he said. "New Orleans really had a place in my heart ever since the hurricane hit, and I really felt like God was telling me to do this."

In July, Poor set out to raise $2,000 for Emergency Communities, a nonprofit organization that provides Katrina disaster relief.

"I was completely blown away by the donations, support, and publicity," he said. "So many things were unexpected and unexpectedly good."

Poor walked alone much of the route, which took him through Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana.

"About halfway though, I thought, 'I still have at least three weeks left.' My body was broken down. But I kept telling myself that I have to keep going," he said. "Everything ached all the time—but it was nothing compared to the challenges the people of New Orleans experience every day. The storm's devastation is still really sobering."