Most in Bulloch County recognize him and many see him regularly on television. He's usually reporting on events in others' lives, telling their stories. But for the past week, he's been on the opposite side of the camera and microphone, a spot he doesn't really enjoy unless it's for a good cause.

And it's a cause he's passionate about.

Dal Cannady - WTOC South Georgia Bureau chief and Statesboro resident - took the last steps of his seven-day, 100-mile trek to bring awareness and raise money for the American Red Cross on Tuesday when he walked along Statesboro's Blue Mile, ending at Gnat's Landing restaurant.

Cannady began the walk March 1 in Hazlehurst and headed to Baxley. He then walked from Reidsville to Claxton, Claxton to Glennville, Montgomery County to Vidalia and Lyons. On Sunday, it was Twin City to Metter, and to Liberty County on Monday.

At each location, Cannady was greeted and welcomed by school children, individuals, civic clubs and other supporters in various capacities and fundraisers.

Tuesday, Cannady started at 8 a.m. at the Bulloch County line on 301 South and ended his final fundraising and awareness walk shortly before noon at Gnat's, exhausted yet energized about the accomplishment.

"My purpose was two-fold this year: to raise money, but also to focus on recruiting more Red Cross volunteers across southeast Georgia," Cannady said.

Cannady doesn't yet know the grand total of this year's donations, but he pointed out that in five years, he's raised $55,000.

"Whatever we do this year will be gravy," he said.

He also said his efforts have already surpassed in six days what he garnered in seven last year, and he praised those who donated.

"Matthew is still fresh on their minds, but even communities not affected by the hurricane have been hit with tornadoes recently," he said. "And then there are individual disasters like home fires - devastating disasters."

Cannady's passion for supporting the Red Cross was born several years ago, when he found himself saying at the end of many television reports, "and the American Red Cross is assisting the family."

That sparked his interest in bringing about awareness about and fundraising for the organization. On his first trek in 2012, he walked 12 miles a day, but he decided on a different distance the next year. Recognizing that the Southeast Georgia Red Cross was 96 years in existence, he chose to walk that many miles, adding 1 mile each year since.

Last year, Cannady announced that the Southeast Georgia Red Cross' centennial would be the end of his walks, saying, "The [Southeast Georgia] Red Cross is turning 100. That might be a good time to stop. These knees and feet are turning 50."

Those aching knees and tender feet, accompanied by several blisters, took between 22,000 and 34,000 steps daily, according to a step-counter he wore.

Yet Cannady recognizes his minor ailments are nothing compared to what families go through during times of disaster.

"To cover so many disasters, you're in the aftermath - or sometimes while it's happening - and you know that by the morning, or perhaps sooner than that, somebody from the Red Cross will be there to help that family out.

"It may be a hotel room, food for two days, or maybe underwear, pants and a shirt. Even if you're well off, when a disaster happens, you don't know which way to turn. The Red Cross is there to help.

"I've had the opportunity to come into each community and allowably remind them that there are some quiet folks who go out on a daily basis to help their neighbor in a time of need."

Cannady received a warm - and wet - welcome to town Tuesday when he was greeted by firefighters' spray from two Statesboro fire engines, as well as Statesboro police officers and Mayor Jan Moore at the W. Jones Lane Memorial Park, just minutes before he took his final steps to Gnat's.

"Dal Cannady represents all that is good in public service in our community," Moore said. "It was an honor to celebrate him today, and our community will be forever grateful for all that Dal has done for the Southeast Georgia Red Cross and, as importantly, the wonderful lesson he's taught the young people of our community."

Friends and community members met Cannady at Gnat's during the lunch hour, and the "last, last fundraiser," as he called it, was held at Loco's Grill and Pub Tuesday evening.

To donate to the fundraising efforts, visit Dal Cannady's Walk for American Red Cross on Facebook.