JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A local group is using its footsteps to make a difference in the lives of thousands of Floridians.

The group is pounding the pavement to bring awareness to many issues including education, crime and health care across the state.

They are led by Lawton "Bud" Chiles, the son of former Gov. Lawton Chiles.

He said he plans on taking one million footsteps, or 600 miles, across the state to make a difference.

"I think that it's very important for Floridians to see that someone really cares about what's going on with education, health care and children in the state," Chiles said.

Chiles is walking for the Worst To First campaign.

In 2008, the National Education Association ranked Florida 50th in the nation in funding education. In response, Chiles wants to walk about 600 miles because he said, "The whole dynamic has to change, and for the dynamic to change from the business as usual in Tallahassee, we've got to get one in 20 Floridians, which is about one million people, to engage."

Chiles said so far he has walked about 110 miles, or 193,000 steps.

Along the way, he is also touring different facilities like the Hope Haven Children's Clinic and Family Center in Jacksonville because he said the campaign is also about improving health care and reducing the crime rate among teenagers.

Chiles said many teens are also involved in his work.

The plan is for the campaign to wrap up in March with a rally in Tallahassee.

For more information, go to www.worsttofirst.org