New Blog Address Now In Use

The Greater Lexington CROP Hunger Walk blog
has a new address.
For current blog entries, please go to:

http://lexcropwalk.blogspot.com/
 

 

The 2011 Walk Results

"Never doubt that small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has." -- Margaret Mead

Another opportunity to THANK each and every person that contributed to another successful Greater Lex. CROP Hunger Walk!! Although we did not reach our $25,000 goal, other inspirational moments blessed approx. 300+ participants that warm, sunny Sunday afternoon.

The 'new' Walk route through one of our city's impoverished areas serviced by God's Pantry definitely was experiential for many of the Walkers. I visited with some of the residents a couple weeks prior to our Walk, not only to deliver 'Ending Hunger One Step at a Time' posters, but to invite them to join us. It was heartwarming to witness many neighbors greet us from their porches, small front yards, or standing on the sidewalk or street. Communal indeed when a few of our sisters and brothers walked with us!

The responsive CROP Hunger Walk Litany participants read just before Walking reminded us of our mission ...... "may you be mindful for all those who have no choice but to walk for food, for water, for firewood, for safety" (From Bread of Tomorrow: Praying with the World's Poor)

TO date, we have raised $21,748!! ..... $160.00 more than last year. BUT!! I'm personally hopeful that our Walk will receive on-line THANKSGIVING and CHRISTMAS gifts. I've requested this from my family, how about each one of you??

AMAZING NEWS!! 25% of the total amount was raised by just ONE, truly dedicated church---Woodland Christian! Many Thanks to David Lee, lead recruiter!! Congrats also to Beaumont Presbyterian, Crestwood Christian, Newman Center/Holy Spirit, Providence Christian-Nicholasville and First Christian Church-Winchester for exceeding their last year's total.

Kudos also to Stacey Stone, Unitarian Universalist Church, for successfully coordinating the experiential educational stations presented by God's Pantry, Woodland Christian, 1st Christian (Winchester), 2nd Presbyterian, and two stations from UUC.

It was also meaningful to see more Walkers this year carry creative signs depicting hunger, poverty, fair trade, clean water issues.

Do know that I will contact each one of you again early next summer :) In the meantime continue to support Church World Service and God's Pantry and begin recruiting other churches and organizations in your communities and neighborhoods to join us next year. I will gladly follow-up once you 'tag' them :)

Mark your calendars now!!
    SEPTEMBER 30th, 2012 ---- WALK
    AUG. 21st or AUG. 23rd ---- RECRUITER'S RALLY
(CWS Regional Director, John Dolon already invited to join us.)

Thanks Again!
Joyful Thanksgiving Blessings to Each one of You and Your Family,
    Judy Ellis

Called to Walk - 2011

We are called to Walk in solidarity with ALL our brothers and sisters suffering with hunger and poverty....and YES, WE HEAR!

Once again, my team and I send this open invitation to all concerned citizens to WALK with your neighbors on SUNDAY, SEPT. 25th.
We will gather at Second Presbyterian Church (corner E. Main/Ransom Sts.) at 3:00 PM to register (no fee). The 3 mile EXPERIENTIAL Walk includes the historic East End, Constitution, MLK and E. Maxwell districts starts at 3:30PM.

"Ending Hunger One Step at a Time" T-shirts will sold for $10.00. The profits also benefit God's Pantry and Church World Service.

We will share a responsive CROP (Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty) litany just before we walk together. Bring a can of food for God's Pantry, a water bottle to be refilled at the half-way point water station, and BRING at least one FRIEND! More info. listed in my Aug. blog entry below :)

Copies of the Walk route will be available upon your arrival. I do ask that everyone CROSS AT THE MARKED INTERSECTIONS. NO JAYWALKING. Volunteer crossing guards will be located at the busy intersections to assist with your safe crossing. I will also ask Metro Police to assist at the E. Main/Vine St. crossing. You will also see them 'drive-by.'

NO roller skates, bicycles, scooters, skate boards will be allowed. Of course, wagons, strollers and wheelchairs are OK :)

I am looking forward to meeting and Walking (rain or shine:) with all of you SUN. 25th.

With Gratitude to each one of you for caring to make a difference,
Judy E. - Greater Lex. CROP Hunger Walk coordinator

The 2011 Route:

View CROP Walk Route 2011 in a larger map

23rd Annual Walk - Plans for Sept. 25, 2011

The 23rd annual Greater Lexington CROP (Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty) Hunger Walk launched the 2011 mission with a very successful Recruiter's Rally August 16th. To date, we have 24 area interfaith churches committed and we are hopeful that 6 more will 'come on board' within the next 2 weeks, to help with "Ending Hunger One Step at a Time."

Registration will begin 3:00 PM, SUNDAY, SEPT. 25th at 2nd Presbyterian Church and the 3 mile experiential Walk (once again, this year 2nd's bus will drive the route for those physically unable to walk) will commence at 3:30 PM.

New and repeat 'happenings' this year are:

1. Revised 3 mile route includes the East End area of Lex.


2. All Walkers are asked to bring one can of non-perishable food for God's Pantry. Protein items are needed, eg. peanut butter, tuna, chicken, etc. 25% all funds raised are donated to God's Pantry. 75% to Church World Service to help eradicate worldwide hunger and poverty and to promote peace and justice. Our final 2010 donation was $21,594....the best ever!! Please read more about CWS at www.churchworldservice.org. The Walk is just one of their many programs.


3. We are 'GREENING' the walk this year by refilling personal water containers from gallon jugs at the water stop. PLEASE bring your own bottle.


4. A designated area in the parking lot will be available for group pictures.


5. T-shirts will be available for $10.00 and $12.00 Walk Day.


6. There will be a responsive CROP Hunger Walk Litany before we take the 'First Step.'

Our local mission is to bring ALL people together around the common concern that hunger and poverty are MORAL ISSUES. For us material abundance and safety come with the responsibility toward those who are the most vulnerable. It is alarming to read the staggering stats re: worldwide and LOCAL hunger issues!! Do take 10 minutes to also access http://godspantry.org/press-room/hunger-reports and read the 2010 Hunger Report.

It is not too late to join your neighbors as we walk together to take a stand against hunger. To find out how to get your church, organization, club, school involved or how to 'just sign-up yourself', PLEASE contact me!!

You can even participate TODAY by going on-line to donate at www.cropwalkonline.org

"We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of the missing drop."
-- Mother Teresa

Blessings,
Judy Ellis, Coordinator Greater Lex. CROP Hunger Walk
jke659@gmail.com
299-4529 or cell 859 699 9454

....and it was a VERY GOOD 2010 Year!

Let us rejoice and give Thanks for our very successful 2010 CROP Hunger Walk. Truly the most productive in this community's history! 27 Geater Lex. churches and the EKU Student Dietetic Assoc. raised $20,894!

We were delighted to have five new churches join us this year, Providence Christian-Nicholasville, First Christian and Oxford Christian-Georgetown, Wilmore Presbyterian, and North Middletown Christian and look forward to their presence in 2011. Approx. 270 Walkers shared their enthusiastic spirit of compassion during our 'new' 3 mile experiential walk route. Other 'firsts' this year were the 'bus-walkers' .... thanks Lakshman for volunteering to drive ... and inspiring bagpipe music to 'lead us off and bring us home' from Ross and David. Many Thanks to our talented musicians!

Kudos to our creative, resourceful youth, adults and pastors from Providence Christian, Woodland Christian, Unitarian Universalist, First Church of Christ Scientist, and Holy Spirit Parish (Newman Center) for their reflective educational stations that reminded us of the work that needs to be done for God's Kingdom here on earth and how we can be part of the solution. We were pleased that staff members from God's Pantry also greeted us. Our meditative prayers included counting our blessings and giving thanks for another glorious, sunny day to Help End Hunger One Step at a Time.

Once again, I sincerely appreciate each one of you for your dedication and service! Many Thanks to my loyal committee, hardworking recruiters, energetic volunteers, willing participants and generous donors for making this mission a gratifying success. I will be in touch with all of you next July as we plan for the mid-Aug. Recruiter's Rally. The 2011 Walk will be SUN. SEPT. 25th. Mark your church calendars now :)

Until then, please remember the many needs that Church World Service and God's Pantry address daily and in what way you and your church can be of service. And, that our on-line donation site is available thru March. Why not ask your loved ones to donate your Christmas gift to the Walk??   http://www.cropwalkonline.org/

Merry Christmas Blessings and a
Joyful, Peaceful 2011 to all of you   :)
      Judy E.

It's Walk Time!

Our community's "Ending Hunger One Step at a Time" Walk is just around the corner! Many dedicated recruiters have spent the past few weeks inspiring and energizing their congregations to participate in the Greater Lex. CROP Hunger Walk. Their spirit of service has not only motivated church members but also their families, friends, co-workers, neighbors to Walk as a witness to fight hunger and poverty and to raise funds for our local God's Pantry and Church World Service.

GOOD NEWS! We already have $2,090 donations on www.cropwalkonline.org! It is very hopeful that we can reach, or maybe even surpass our $22,000 goal since our fundraising will continue for another month!

A few reminders re: Walk Day:

• Registration begins at 3PM on Sunday, Sept. 26 in back parking lot of 2nd Presbyterian.
• One can park in the Goodwin Sq. parking lot across the street.
• Bring your yellow registration sheet from the donation envelope.
• Some have already registered on line.
• EVERYONE needs to register and forms will be available when you sign-in.
• T SHIRTS can be purchased for $12.00.
• A donated gift basket of organic skin products from Insignia Salon will be 'raffled-off.'
• The 3 mile experiential Walk will begin at 3:30PM with an unique send-off.
• Please bring your own water but we will have a water stop at Newman Center on Rose St.
• NO bicyles, skates, skateboards, etc. will be allowed due to safety issues.
• Wagons, strollers, wheelchairs are definitely OK.
• Crossing guard volunteers will be at the busier intersections around campus.
• PLEASE do not jaywalk.

We want everyone else to know why we are walking! Please remember to bring a sign to carry (create your own:), wear your CROP Hunger Shirt, group youth shirts, carry your church banner, etc.

Many Thanks to everyone who has willingly given their time, energy and donations to help MAKE A DIFFERENCE in the lives of our neighbors here and around the world. My team and I are looking forward to Walking with you and yours Sun. 26th!

Peace and Joy,
     Judy, Alice, Suzi and Beth

A New Route for the 2010 Walk

The new route for the 2010 walk on September 26 begins and ends at Second Presbyterian Church and includes 6 educational stations and one water stop.

The stations are at 1st Church of Christ Scientist, Park United Methodist, Woodland Christian, Newman Center, Singletary Center, and Calvary Baptist.

Join us on Sunday, Sept. 26 at 3:00 pm for 'Ending Hunger One Step at a Time'

Click to identify the pins.

View 2010 CROP Walk Map in a larger map