....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

Preparation for the 2010 Walk begins

The annual Greater Lexington CROP (Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty) Hunger Walk will be SUNDAY, SEPT. 26th. We will gather at 3:00 PM at Second Presbyterian Church with a 'new' 3 mile Walk route beginning at 3:20. We have an unique 'send-off' planned :) Everyone will definitely hear THE call to begin
      'Ending Hunger One Step at a Time'
... the theme for this year's Walk.

Just a few examples of how the steps we take in the CROP Hunger Walk lead to real, lasting change: 25% of the funds we collect are given to GOD'S PANTRY. The 2009 grant of $4,131 will help support their many food banks in central and eastern Ky.

The CROP Hunger Walk is a fundraiser for Church World Service. At least 50 local congregations are members of CWS so we have the potential to significantly expand this mission to further impact the lives of those in need locally and around the world. This year we would love to have more community service groups, school organizations, business associations to join us.

This past year the gifts we donated to CWS assisted with providing immediate emergency needs after the severe flooding in the Southeast and after the devastating earthquake in Indonesia. They were among the very first responders to care for our sisters and brothers when Katrina ravaged the Gulf a few years ago. Visit www.churchworldservice.org for more info about their ministries.

Anyone interested to participate as a recruiter for their church or organization, please notify me per e-mail. The Recruiter's Rally where everyone will receive all needed materials and share tips for inspiring Walkers and Donors will be THURSDAY, AUGUST 12, 7:00-8:30 PM at Second Presbyterian Church, E. Main St., Lexington.

My committee and I are working diligently to make this year's Walk the BEST YET! With all of us putting our faith in action, we can make it happen! We do make a difference in the lives of so many people!

See you Aug. 12th at your Recruiter's Rally.

Blessings, Peace and Joy,

Judy Ellis, coordinator Greater Lex. CROP Hunger Walk
jke659@gmail.com

Final 2009 Report

The Greater Lexington CROP Hunger Walk was nearly 4 months ago but eternally optimistic me decided to wait a 'little longer' to enter the final 2009 BLOG with hopes that more donations would be forthcoming and they did! Once again, my team and I are grateful to all the loyal, diligent, motivated recruiters for their successful efforts and outcomes for our 2009 Walk.

We are a little disappointed that our $25,000 goal was not attained but we will once again aim for that goal this year. Many other KY-IN Walks also attribute their lower than usual donations to the recession. Seven churches raised approx. 70% of our total contributions -- $16,519. (Last year, $19,022.) Nearly 375 walkers representing 24 churches, student groups and 'walk-ons' appreciated the warm, sunny afternoon to walk together to take a stand against local and global hunger.

Our 'new' friends this past year were Woodland Christian Church, Lex., Midway Presbyterian Church and an EKU student group. Special recognition to 1st Christian Church, Winchester for increasing their total contributions this year by nearly 230% ! from 2008, Meadowthorpe Presbyterian, Lex. - 106% increase and Chapel Hill Presbyterian, Lex. - 104%. THANK YOU!

Abundant Thanks to my dedicated team, Alice, Suzi, Beth and Ron and all volunteers! Cheers to our creative youth and adults from Crestwood Christian, Unitarian Universalist, Central Christian, 1st Presbyterian and 2nd Presbyterian churches for their interesting educational stations that focused on local/global hunger, poverty, clean water and environmental concerns. My Thanks to our photographers Sonny and Dwight and to Dwight, our BLOG moderator. It is my joy and honor to work with all of you :)

It was fun to share the excitement with many of you when we read the wonderful piece about our Walk in the Lex. Herald Leader the following morning ... pictures too! Hopefully, this will encourage more groups to join us this year. I will let all recruiters know when the April organizational meeting with Rev. Judy Dunson, regional director from Indianapolis, will be held here in Lex, hopefully at 2nd Presbyterian. She will help guide us with developing and implementing 'new' ways to further promote participation in our CROP Hunger Walk. PLEASE consider attending and sharing your ideas. We NEED your help! In the 'works' now is a new route for this year; 'south to UK area' and hopefully more youth stations :)

As faithful servants, may we all continue to support the mission and ministry of CWS (Church World Service) and God's Pantry thru out the year. We are well aware that the needs of our sisters and brothers have drastically increased the past year and especially now with the horrific earthquake in Haiti !!

Looking forward to working with all of you this coming year beginning with the April organizational meeting :) Keep in touch.

Blessings, Joy, Peace and Love,
      Judy Ellis