'Lifestyle of serving others' brings Idaho man to Cincinnati

CINCINNATI - Drew Johnson is on a mission, looking for jobs nobody else wants to do.

It usually isn't pretty.

"I've been literally knee high in manure," he laughs.

Serving others is his lifestyle.

So he moved into his (car), left his home in Boise, Idaho and began traveling the country, looking for places that needed a free hand.

He clicks off several of his stops: “I've worked with Habitat for Humanity, I've worked with hospice care before, Humane Society . . .”

His goal is 48 states in 48 weeks, volunteering five out of every seven days.

He posts his progress on his website, 48by48.com to motivate others to get involved.

He has few possessions and often just sleeps in his car, jamming his 6' 5" frame into the trunk.

"I'll lay the back seats down, and then I can sleep side to side,” says Drew.

Today he's at Cincinnati's Ronald McDonald House, doing whatever they need of him – sweeping the garage or playing with the critically ill children who stay there.

House employee Stephanie Creech is thrilled by his dedication.

"I think it's wonderful,” Creech says. “I think it not only shows what kind of person he is and what he values and his own determination to give back, but I'm hopeful that his example will also motivate other people to do likewise."

Drew says volunteering is a great experience, even if you're aren't ready to move into your car.

"It's about a half-hour here, an hour here, taking your kids on the weekends to go do stuff," Drew says.