Steve Schwab, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Casago, is currently walking 200.4 miles from Phoenix, Arizona, to Puerto Peñasco (Rocky Point), Sonora, Mexico, to raise funds for the Mexico Children's Foundation. Schwab began his journey on October 9, 2026, and expects to complete the trek in approximately 8 to 10 days. This marks his 15th such walk, a long-running tradition that underscores his commitment to the children of Mexico.
The route takes Schwab along State Route 85 south through Gila Bend and Ajo, crossing roughly 40 miles of open Sonoran Desert with no services, before entering Mexico for the final stretch to the Sea of Cortés. Despite storms in the past week, locals have joined him along the way or pulled over to take selfies, demonstrating community support for his cause.
Schwab's motivation is deeply personal. "People ask why I keep doing this. It's simple. Rocky Point gave me my start, and the community became my family. When I founded the Mexico Children's Foundation back in 2003, the walk was an opportunity to make a statement that children are our future and no child should be left behind because of medical or economic challenges," he said. The foundation provides financial support for medical care and educational enrichment for children in Mexico. Over the years, it has funded life-saving procedures for children like Ana Paula Medina Gonzales, who was diagnosed with a malignant tumor in her head at age 7, and Sarahi Acedo, who needed a tracheostomy at birth and is now about to celebrate her quinceañera.
Schwab, a former Army Ranger and New Mexico State University graduate, started SeaSide Reservations in Rocky Point, managing vacation homes for owners. That company later grew into Casago International, a vacation rental management franchise, and still operates locally as Casago Rocky Point. His entrepreneurial success in the region laid the groundwork for his philanthropic efforts, and the annual walk serves as both a fundraiser and a symbolic gesture of giving back.
This year's fundraising goal is $70,000. As of October 12, the walk has raised $23,000, more than one-third of the goal. US donations are tax-deductible and can be made through the foundation's donation page at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/donate-to-change-a-childs-life-one-at-a-time. The funds will directly support the foundation's mission to provide medical and educational assistance to children in need.
The Mexico Children's Foundation, founded by Schwab, is a nonprofit organization that offers financial support for medical care and educational enrichment for children in Mexico. More information about the foundation and its work can be found at mexicochildrensfoundation.org. The annual walk not only raises critical funds but also raises awareness about the challenges faced by children in Mexico and the importance of community support in overcoming them.
