2008 Hunger Walk Report

Dear Friends,

As I reflect on my many blessings this Thanksgiving, once again,
I Give Thanks to each one of you that participated in another successful CROP Hunger Walk.

We estimate about 260 people - and a few 'walkers at large' - representing 25 diverse congregations in the Greater Lexington area walked together Sept. 28, 2008, to take a stand against hunger and poverty in our communities and the world. As of Dec. 1, we have raised $18,196 :) .... last year, $17,545.

We were delighted to witness more local pastors Walking with their members, 4 'new' churches that joined this year -Versailles Presbyterian, Crestwood Christian, Meadowthorpe Presbyterian and Lexington Friends Meeting, a significant increase in friends and families donating on-line (this option still available :), and another warm, sunny day to promote our mission!

Abundant THANKS to my dedicated team, Alice, Suzi, Beth, Ron and Bobbie and to each one of the Recruiters for your willingness to invest time and energy to promote the Walk.

Special recognition to the Youth and their leaders :) from Chapel Hill Pres., Unitarian Universalist and Beaumont Pres. for their creative, educational 'station' presentations! Personal Thanks to Dwight, our BLOG moderator, Sonny, our talented photographer, and ALL the volunteers that assisted Walk Day. It is my honor to 'work' with all of you!

The 2009 Walk will be Sunday, Sept. 27.

Mark your calendar's now :) I will be in touch with all of you mid July. Recruiter's Rally will be held early Aug. My team and I do appreciate any suggestions as to how we can increase participation, encourage other churches and groups to join, etc. Please share your thoughts and ideas via sending me an e-mail ... and list any church or group that you may be able to recruit before next summer. I will f/u w/call.

As faithful servants, may we all continue supporting the misson of God's Pantry and ministry of Church World Service. Many opportunities are listed on their web sites.

Gratitude, Joy and Blessings to each one of you.
Judy E.

Come Walk With Us

Just 2 weeks until the Greater Lexington CROP Hunger Walk! Sunday, Sept 28th, 3 PM at Second Presbyterian Church, East Main at Ransom.

We will gather in the parking area directly behind the church. Parking is available at Goodwin Sq. Center off Ransom. We are the only Central Kentucky experiential CROP Hunger Walk.

Due to the current abysmal economic situation, I am confident that most people are aware of the increasing hunger needs of our fellow human beings, locally and globally. Therefore, my team and I have been working diligently with promoting this mission, increasing participation, educating our communities, and encouraging those of us that have never been truly hungry or lived in poverty, to reach a little deeper in our pockets to support our local God's Pantry and Church World Service.

One can also Walk On-Line: very easy access, 3 step directions, and secure at http://www.cropwalkonline.org/

Everyone is invited to Walk. You may 'just show up' at 3 PM on 9-28 and register at that time. To save plastic, please bring your own water 'bottle' ---- water will be available at the midway point of the 2.4 mile downtown Walk (see the map below). A few extra CROP HUNGER signs will be available for those 'last minute' walkers.

We are optimistic that our 20th Walk will be the most productive yet! The ONE organization will be represented on 9-28 and CROP Hunger Walk T-shirts will be available to purchase for 15 dollars.

Walking together with all of you :)
Gratitude and Blessings,
Your CROP Walk Team
      Alice, Suzi, Beth and Judy Ellis

     CROP Walk Route - Click on map pins for notes

 

Rally Prepares for the Sept. 28, 2008 Walk

The 20^th Greater Lexington CROP Hunger Walk is 'off' to a great start! Our productive Orientation Recruiter's Rally was held on August 14. Members from churches in Versailles, Winchester and Lexington attended.

35 area churches, representing the diverse interfaith community of Catholic, Friends Meeting, Unitarian Universalist, Episcopal, Christian, Methodist, Baptist, Lutheran, Missonary Baptist and Presbyterian, have committed to further expanding our efforts with fighting hunger and poverty, around the corner and around the world, by reaching beyond our church walls.

Our mission is to educate our families, friends, neighors, co-workers, social groups and to raise funds to assist our local God's Pantry and Church World Service in providing resources for those in need.

The 2008 Walk starts at 3 PM on Sunday, September 28^th, at Second Presbyterian Church. We invite all people concerned with the moral issues of hunger and poverty to join us. We DO make a difference!

For more info, please contact me, Judy Ellis, Coordinator, JKE659@webtv.net.

Thanks!

Walk to Help Fight Hunger

The Greater Lexington CROP Hunger Walk invites people of all ages and faiths to join in providing resources to fight hunger around the world and around the corner. Funds raised through the CROP Walk help people in more than 80 countries through self-help development, disaster response, and refugee services.

In 2007, $ 17,545.00 was raised by the Greater Lexington CROP Hunger Walk with approximatley 400 walkers coming from 30 groups. A Church World Service grant equivalent to 25% of the funds raised by the CROP Walk was received by God's Pantry Food Bank. Through a special donor-designated option, the World Relief Commission of the NAE also benefited from the Walk.

Join us for our next CROP Hunger Walk on Sunday, September 28, 2008. For information on how to contact the local Walk Coordinator, call toll free (888) 297-2767 or send an e-mail to in@churchworldservice.org. Join online as a Walker or Sponsor (after July 1, 2008) by clicking on "Register today" box.

Don’t live in the Lexington area? Find a CROP Hunger Walk near you by calling toll free (888) 297-2767.

Mary Alice Pratt: our Walker Extraordinaire

Mary Alice Pratt received a regional CROP Walker Extraordinaire Award at a dinner gathering with her Newman Center (Holy Spirit Catholic Church) Social Justice/Peace Ministry Committee on January 25, 2008. Her nomination was accepted by regional CWS board last month. Greater Lexington CROP Walk Coordinator Judy Ellis presented Mary Alice with a certificate and 2 recognition gifts on behalf of Rev. J. Dunson, Regional Director of CWS.

Mary Alice was recognized as an energetic, faithful supporter of the CROP Walk program for past 8-10 yrs. Not only is she an effective recruiter for donations and walkers BUT she walks the entire route (3 miles this year) and many of the 'much younger' participants joyfully announce that they have a hard time 'keeping up with Mary Alice." She is always enthusiastic when called when it's CROP time! Never an excuse that she is too busy! She is adored, loved and admiredby so many within her church and community.

Mary Alice is an exemplary, faithful servant for all of us. She is also ardently devoted to other social justice/peace/poverty ministries within Ky, including recently being elected to BUILD's (Building United Interfaith Lexington thru Direct-Action) Executive Committee.

AND...Lex. CROP Walk received a $ 500 donation just last month.   :)   Now, we total $ 17,300 !