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 !

Final Report of the 2007 Hunger Walk

The Greater Lexington 2007 CROP Hunger Walk donations total $16,800.

The TEAM's goal of $20,000 will, once again, be our mission for 2008. Most importantly, we are pleased with the number of 'new' churches that joined this year. Therefore, more faithful servants to work towards abating the hunger needs not only in our communities but around the world.

Many Thanks to all participants, lead recruiters, volunteers, and the CROP Walk team for another successful WALK. You are appreciated for all that you do for our brothers and sisters in need.

PLEASE mark your calendars now :)
      2008 Walk ... Sunday, Sept. 28.
The Recruiter's Rally will be scheduled the 2nd week in August.

Until then, continue to support our local God's Pantry and Church World Service in their service missions. Their WEB sites will guide you.

Blessings and Joy to all,
      Judy Ellis

Generous Donations

The CROP Walk team THANKS all participants of this year's Walk. Your generous donations will hopefully help us reach our goal of $20,000.

Next year's walk is Sunday, September 28th. Mark your calendars now !

We hope to have all monies 'turned-in' to our financial sec, Ron Brown by October 16th.

Lead recruiter's, please arrange delivery of your funds with your CROP TEAM leader, Alice, Kay, Gail, or me.

The total contribution will be listed in the BLOG late October or early November.

Many Thanks to all of you,

   Judy E.

400 Walk on a Glorious Day

We had a glorious day! The weather was perfect -- approximately 400 walkers. We sold 32 T-shirts (which netted a $160 profit for CROP) -- 30 churches were represented!

We had 9 'new' ones this year ... including Rev. Cain and 20 others from Unitarian Universalist church, Arlington Christian (Rev. Kris Bentley), Victory Christian, South Elkhorn Christian, Crossroads Christian, Antioch Missionary Baptist, Centenary Methodist, 1st Christian ( Frankfort), Pisgah Presbyterian ... and a few people that just 'walked up' Sunday afternoon who had heard about the Walk via God's Pantry or the newspaper.

To date, pledges and cash: nearly 11,000$$. We estimate that this is probably about 60 % of the total we expect to eventually receive. WOW, we are really pleased! Contributions are being accepted for another month. You may contribute on-line here.

Also, walkers loved the new route, lots of compliments and youth 'stations' were meaningful. Our best walk yet!! More diversity represented also!

Next year's walk is set for the last Sunday in September (9/28/2008).

Many Groups Sign Up to Walk

Walkers are expected from at least these churches: 1st Church-Christ Scientist, 1st United Methodist, 2d Presbyterian, Antioch Baptist, Arlington Christian, Beaumont Presbyterian, Calvary Baptist, Centenary Methodist, Central Christian, Chapel Hill Presbyterian, Christ Church Cathedral, Crestwood Christian, East 2nd St. Christian, Faith Lutheran, Good Shepherd, Hill-n-Dale Christian, Historic Pleasant Green Baptist, House of God #4, Hunter Presbyterian,
La Roca Methodist, Lexington Friends Meeting, Maxwell St. Presbyterian, New Vine Baptist, Newman Center, Pisgah Presbyterian, South Elkhorn Christian, St Paul Catholic, St Paul AME, St Peter Catholic, St Peter Claver Catholic, St Rapheal Episcopal, Unitarian Universalist, Walnut Hill Community, Faith Baptist (Georgetown), 1st Christian (Winchester), and 1st Christian (Frankfort). Also folks from God's Pantry, Lexington Catholic H.S. Kentucky Baptist Seminary, Univ. of Kentucky Campus Ministries, and Transylvania Univ. Campus Ministries are expected.

The weather prediction is "Mostly Sunny, 69 degrees." Come join the crowd!

Walk Day Preparation

Registration at the Walk on Sept. 16 is at 3:00 p.m. at Second Presbyterian Church. The Experiential Walk begins at 3:20 p.m.

CROP Walk T-shirts will be for sale on Walk day also. Please bring CROP signs to carry or wear, decorate a hat, and carry your church banner. We want people to know the reason we are walking!

We strongly advise not to bring money day of walk because of security issues. Remember, you have 4 more weeks AFTER the walk to collect donations and raise more funds. Any ?'s, call your Lead CROP team person, or Walk Coordinator Judy Ellis.

Judy says:

"Many THANKS to all of you for participating in the CROP mission for we are all aware of the hunger, poverty, social justice issues affecting those here at home and around the world ... and in the process of educating others. I am confident this will be our most successful year yet.   :)

Blessings and Gratitude to all of you,
    Judy Ellis"

Over 36 Groups Join Our 18th Walk

This is 18th Greater Lexington Walk. It is co-sponsored by the DCUTF ... Downtown Christian Unity Task Force. So far, 36 churches or other groups have 'signed-on' representing the interfaith communities of Lexington, Versailles, Georgetown and Winchester. UK, Transy, Ky. Baptist Seminary students/staff, Lexington Catholic HS, and God's Pantry are represented also ... as are a few citizens that join us day of Walk "because we read about this in the paper and feel strongly about hunger, poverty and social justice issues too."