Michigan

CROP Hunger Walk funds up despite struggling economy

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 13:24:19 -0500

Despite a struggling economy and increasing unemployment rate, in 2007, nearly 150 communities across Michigan united to raise more than $2.2 million dollars to end poverty and hunger through CROP Hunger Walks.

CROP stands for Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty, and is a community based fundraising effort of humanitarian organization Church World Service (CWS). Funds donated through CROP Hunger Walks are used to help local and international communities.

In Haiti, CWS partners with many organizations to provide education and vocational training, sustainable agriculture and development projects, and micro-credit opportunities to struggling women.

Lary Jackson, Michigan CWS Assistant Director, witnessed these programs first-hand in January 2008 when he visited Haiti with other CWS leaders. While at a rural farming cooperative, Lary said his team noticed the organization’s logo consisted of several interconnected circles and asked the co-op leaders what it meant.

“They all stood up, interlocked arms and said ‘Come over here and try to push us over,’” said Jackson. “They then went on to say that we’re much stronger when we work together.”

Lary said he then came to think of CWS as being a part of that strong link as well.

“We came to an understanding of how CWS works alongside local communities to enhance their programs and offer resources and expertise as we join hand in hand with them,” said Jackson.

CROP Walkers like Bill Wade are also one of many links in a long chain of solidarity throughout Michigan and the country that reach out to the impoverished and make programs like these possible.

By collecting donations, Wade was able to raise nearly $8,000 for the Chelsea/Dexter CROP Hunger Walk, making him the Walker who raised the second highest amount of funds in 2007, statewide. Other Top Walkers for the Michigan CROP Hunger Walks were John and Wendy Kreitz of Beverly Hills, who raised more than $10,000 and Dr. Peter Thoms of Flint who raised more than $7,000.

Wade began participating in CROP Hunger Walks in 1972 and has been walking to support CROP ever since. He said that many of his donors are people in his community that are already aware of the CROP Hunger Walk and give every year.

“If they have any kind of conscience, they jump at the chance to help,” said Wade.

Wade also added that the walk is something the community should be involved in because it serves people who don’t ask to be in the position they are in.

“It’s to show a kind of symbolic togetherness with those that have to walk for water and wood and medicine to survive,” said Wade.

According to CWS, hungry people in developing countries often walk many miles a day to find the necessary food, water, and fuel for survival.

Other links that came together to make 2007 such a successful year were members of the Holland/Zeeland Walk. For the 25th consecutive year, the Holland/Zeeland CROP Hunger Walk was the leading Walk in Michigan and raised more than $215,000. The Greater Lansing Walk was the second highest CROP Hunger Walk and raised more than $85,000, and the Birmingham/Bloomfield area was close behind with nearly $80,000 in funds raised.

Up to a quarter of the funds donated in a CROP Hunger Walk are distributed to local poverty and hunger fighting agencies.

Given the economic situation of the state, those funds can be very helpful according to Jean Kellom, Executive Director of the Midland Emergency Food Pantry. The Midland Emergency Food Pantry has been receiving CROP Hunger Walk funds for over 20 years and operates seven different pantries in the Midland county area.

Simply stated, the Midland Emergency Food Pantry feeds the hungry, said Kellom, and many programs are in place to accomplish this. The pantry not only operates in its facilities, but also offers nutrition programs, food baskets to seniors, and mobile food pantries. As many as 1,000 people can be served during a mobile food pantry day, said Kellom.

Kellom also described a Backpack Buddies program, which the pantry partners in to help school children with hunger needs.

“There was an article in the paper about kids going home from school and not having any food over the weekend,” said Kellom. “Then they’d come to school on Monday, faint from hunger.”

The Backpack Buddies program was started for the whole county soon after this hunger issue received attention, said Kellom. The program provides elementary students who are on the free or reduced lunch with a backpack full of food for the weekend.

In 2007, more than 370 Michigan Hunger Agencies received more than $540,000 in funds from CROP Hunger Walks. These funds have enabled area hunger agencies, like the Midland Emergency Food Pantry, Manna Food Project, Brother Dan’s Food Pantry, Alliance Against Violence and Abuse, and Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes to better serve the hungry and impoverished margin of the community.

The Kalamazoo Valley CROP Hunger Walk with a donation of $1,500 supported the Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes Food Bank. The Petoskey/Bay View CROP Hunger Walk also supported their community by donating to local hunger agencies. Both the Manna Food Project and Brother Dan’s Food Pantry received nearly $2,900 each from the Walk donations. The compassion and drive of CROP Hunger Walkers extended into the U.P., as well, where the Manistique CROP Hunger Walk made a donation to the Alliance Against Violence and Abuse of nearly $500.

Whether the effects were felt locally or internationally, 2007 proved to be a year where CROP Hunger Walkers linked together to form a long chain of solidarity responding to poverty and truly acting out the motto of CROP; “We Walk Because They Walk.”

Jackson

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 11:59:07 -0500

Co-coordinators Phil Fracker (left) and Barb Palmer (right) are joined by Barb's granddaughter Skye Palmer prior to the start of the 31st Annual Greater Jackson CROP Hunger Walk. Many more Walkers, compared to 2006, came out and braved cool and damp conditions to raise $16,085. This represented over a 5% increase above the 2006 total funds raised. Photo: Bob Barnhart

Natalie Eberts (holding yellow balloon) got the Unity Church of Jackson involved in the CROP Hunger Walk for the first time. She organized members of her youth fellowship (pictured) to come and Walk. Photo: Bob Barnhart

Ypsilanti

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 10:23:49 -0500

Ypsilanti Walk Coordinator, Mike Needham, and local agency director for the Salvation Army, Captain Barbara McCauley, celebrate the Tenth Annual Ypsilanti Area CROP Hunger Walk. The Walk has raised over $150,000 in those ten years. Photo: Bob Barnhart

Logistics/Safety Contact for the Ypsilanti Area CROP Hunger Walk, Mary Mullins, second from right, walks with her family, granddaughter Chynia Simmons (front), (second row left to right) daughters Jessica Mullins and Mary Simmons, Mary, and granddaughter Raven Simmons. Uncle Jeff Leach is in back. Photo: Bob Barnhart

Mt. Pleasant Area

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 15:12:30 -0500

John and Cil Lorand of the Mt. Pleasant Area Walk were vacationing with friends in China on their event date. If in China, the most obvious place to participate in solidarity with the folks back home, is on the Great Wall. John is the Treasurer and Cil has provided many years of leadership for the event. Photo: Missie Dickens

Michigan CWS/CROP Facts 2007

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 15:00:00 -0500

Total Income was $2,720,810 marking the eighth consecutive year Michigan has topped the $2.4 million level. Michigan has been the leading Walk fund raising Region in the U.S.A. for CWS the past 22 years.

Walks in 144 communities resulted in $2,204,417 with 22,144 participants. The average income per Walker was $107.98.

374 Michigan Hunger Agencies received $540,272 in funds from local CROP Hunger Walks in 2007.

37 Years of Walking in Michigan have provided over $10 million of resources for Michigan hunger agencies and $31 million for the global hunger/poverty programs of CWS in more than 80 countries. CROP Hunger Walks in Michigan started in 1971 with 20-mile Walks in Marne and Midland.

Leading CROP Hunger Walk was Holland/Zeeland, for the 25th consecutive year, with a total income of $217,907. The Greater Lansing Walk was the second highest funded event with income of $86,542. The third largest Walk was Birmingham/Bloomfield Area with $79,823. The four-county Metro Detroit area is the second leading fund raising area for CWS in the U.S.A.

Top Walkers were John & Wendy Kreitz of Beverly Hills - $10,707, Bill Wade of Dexter - $7,700, Dr. Peter Thoms of Flint - $7,052.

Major and Planned Giving Income exceeded $102,000 for Michigan CWS in bequests and grants.

Leading Churches/Parishes were First United Methodist Church in Birmingham with $38,449, Kirk
in the Hills Presbyterian Church of Bloomfield Hills with $25,311, and Dexter United Methodist Church collecting $15,109.

Designated Funds for sister U.S. International Agencies amounted to $79,939 including Catholic Relief Services, Lutheran World Relief, Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, National Assoc. of Evangelicals W.R.C., etc.

“Million Dollar Walks” (cumulative) are Holland/Zeeland - $3,116,494, Greater Lansing - $1,817,830, Washtenaw/Ann Arbor - $1,385,176, Saginaw - $1,192,523, and Kalamazoo Valley - $1,078,595.

30 Years (or more) Community CROP Hunger Walks are Greater Jackson Area, Greater Lansing, Kalamazoo Valley, Lakewood Area, Lenawee/Adrian, Midland, Sturgis, Tri-Cities (Grand Haven), Washtenaw/Ann Arbor, and Williamston/Webberville.

CWS Tools & Blankets Program was the second largest source of program funds with donations of kits and income totaling $277,134.

History records, that Michigan CWS/CROP volunteers have collected $56 million in farm commodities, clothing, blankets, kits, and cash in the past 60 years. CROP was organized in Michigan in 1947. The first 20 railroad carloads of Michigan grain were shipped in February 1948. David Bower was named the Michigan Director in 1970.

Spring 2008 CROP Hunger Walks

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 14:56:43 -0500

Walk Name	Date
Arenac
Au Gres	May 4
Berrien
Blossomland (St. Joseph/Benton Harbor)	May 18
Emmet
Petoskey/Bay View	June 28
Huron
Eastern Huron County	May 4
Ingham
Williamston/Webberville	May 4
Ionia
Lakewood Area (Lake Odessa)	April 27
Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo Valley	May 4
South County (Schoolcraft)	May 4
Kent
Lowell Area	May 4
Macomb
East Macomb County (Mt. Clemens)	May 4
Oakland
Berkley Area	May 4
Farmington/Farmington Hills/West Bloomfield	May 4
Lake Orion/Oxford	May 4
Royal Oak	May 4
Southfield/Lathrup	April 20
Troy Area	May 4
Ottawa
Holland/Zeeland	April 26 & 27
Shiawassee
Shiawassee County (Owosso)	May 4
St. Joseph
Sturgis	April 27
Van Buren
Eastern Van Buren (Paw Paw)	April 27
Wayne
Downriver (Southgate)	April 27
Downtown Detroit	May 3
Grosse Pointe Area	May 4
Redford Area	May 4
Wayne/Westland	May 4

CROP Community Events - 2007

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 12:09:03 -0500

WALKS:

Albion		$ 3,389
Allegan		1,344
**Barry County (Hastings)		19,872
Battle Creek		37,770
Bay County		4,935
Belleville / Romulus		26,524
Bellevue		1,125
Berkley Area		6,355
Big Rapids		7,053
**Birmingham / Bloomfield Area		79,823
Black River (South Haven)		8,137
Blossomland (St. Joseph/Benton Harbor)		40,608
Blue Water Area / Port Huron		19,199
BMW (Breckenridge / Merrill / Wheeler)		3,316
Branch County (Coldwater)		8,114
Brighton Area		16,241
Cadillac Area		9,309
**Cass County Dowagiac / Cassopolis)		13,322
**Chain of Lakes (Bellaire)		6,188
Charlevoix County		14,245
Charlotte		11,090
**Chelsea / Dexter Area	[5,030]	35,893
Chesaning		4,416
Clare Area		14,843
Clarkston		1,425
Constantine / White Pigeon		5,247
Coopersville / Marne / Ravenna		7,219
Copper Country		7,481
Crossroads		12,098
Croswell / Lexington		5,000
Dearborn / Dearborn Heights		11,668
Delton Community		5,374
Detroit / West		9,151
Downriver / Southgate		45,256
Downtown Detroit / Cass		7,552
**East Macomb County		23,137
Eastern Huron County (Harbor Beach)		8,768
**Eastern VanBuren County (Paw Paw)		29,622
Eaton Rapids / Dimondale		2,254
Escanaba		4,273
Farmington / Farmington Hills / West Bloomfield		36,880
Fennville		1,306
Fenton / Lake Fenton / Linden / Holly		12,362
Ferndale		9,137
**Four Flags Area (Niles / Buchanan)		15,545
Fremont		10,276
**Fruitport		8,421
**Gaylord		11,857
Genawassee Corner (Gaines)		6,988
**Grand Blanc		19,216
Grand Ledge		10,513
Gratiot County (Alma)		14,184
Greater Flint Area	[915]	24,258
Greater Jackson Area		16,145
Greater Lansing		86,542
Grosse Ile		10,442
Grosse Pointe Area		26,942
Hanover / Horton		1,402
Harbor Country		5,769
Hillsdale County		8,426
**Holland / Zeeland		217,907
Homer		3,887
Howell Area		16,490
Huron Valley / Milford		19,074
Ionia Area		14,957
Irish Hills		10,478
**Iron County		4,150
Kalamazoo Valley		39,437
Lake Orion / Oxford Area		26,936
Lakeview		13,206
**Lakewood Area (Lake Odessa)		19,461
**Leelanau County		19,035
Lenawee / Adrian		13,797
Leslie		180
**Livonia Area		26,934
Lowell Area		15,780
Lyon Lake		2,532
Manchester Area		6,733
Manistee County		9,744
Manistique		2,056
Maple River (Bannister)		4,381
Mason		3,502
Mason County (Ludington)		9,246
**Midland Area		48,866
Monroe Area		11,576
Mt. Pleasant Area		18,433
**Muskegon		53,389
**Newaygo / Grant		12,278
North Kent County		14,005
Northeast Lenawee (Macon)		3,600
NW Macomb Co (Romeo / Washington)		18,500
Norway		2,352
Novi / Northville		19,975
**Oceana County		12,998
Ortonville		6,637
Otsego / Plainwell / Martin / Shelbyville		10,935
Ovid/Elsie		6,498
**Panhandle (Howard City)		5,011
**Perry / Morrice / Shaftsburg		5,640
**Petoskey / Bay View		23,155
**Pinckney Area		9,664
Plymouth / Canton		3,875
Redford Area		8,549
Richland		5,091
Richmond Area	4,570]	4,820
Rochester Area		16,333
**Roscommon County		14,810
Royal Oak		13,865
Saginaw County		38,018
Saline Area		7,653
**Saugatuck / Douglas / Ganges		14,016
Shelby Township		9,744
Shepherd		2,535
Shiawassee County		5,908
**South County (Schoolcraft)		10,475
South Lyon Area		7,260
South Ontonagon County		1,294
South Shore Area (Flat Rock)		11,595
Southfield / Lathrup		8,442
Southwest Leelanau (Empire/Glen Arbor)		2,739
St. Clair Area		4,997
St. Ignace		2,844
St. Johns		11,077
Sturgis		12,130
Sunrise Side (Tawas Area)		30
Three Rivers Area		8,722
Traverse City		21,507
Tri-Cities (Grand Haven)		29,449
Tri-City (Coloma / Hartford / Watervliet)		7,230
Troy Area		23,356
Union City / Athens		5,949
Utica / Sterling Heights		5,808
Vassar / Millington		7,028
Walled Lake Area		4,151
Warren / Center Line		9,352
**Washtenaw / Ann Arbor	[1,094]	71,279
Waterford Area		10,415
**Wayland Area		10,713
Wayne / Westland		11,668
**White Lake Area (Montague / Whitehall)		5,160
Williamston / Webberville		14,724
Ypsilanti Area		14,304

OTHER COMMUNITY EVENTS:

Grand Rapids - Special Project		$27,650
Marquette - Special Project		1,333
Pigeon / Laker - Canvass	[6,100]	6,100
Unionville / Sebewaing - Canvass	[490]	490

*New Walk
**Events over 3 years old having their best income year ever
[ ] 2006 Walk funds received in 2007 included in total

2/11/08

Michigan Walks

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 14:35:21 -0500

A bright smile on one of Midland’s $150 Walkers. The Midland Area CROP Hunger Walk saw an increase of over 50 Walkers. Photo: Johanna Balzer	Participating in the Chesaning CROP Hunger Walk is a “guy thing”. Chesaning more than doubled its Walkers. Photo: Johanna Balzer
It was another record-breaking year for the Perry/Morrice/Shaftsburg CROP Hunger Walk, with the help of rockers Loyola Dysinger and Bonnie Dunn, both from Perry United Methodist Church. Pictured in center is Coordinator, Pastor Carol Floyd, also from Perry UMC. Photo: Johanna Balzer	Disaster Response and Recovery Liaison, Joann Hale (center) meet with CWS staff and Advisory Board members in October, after doing a presentation for Michigan VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters). To Joann’s left is Secretary, Alicia Crenshaw; Michigan Assistant Director, Lary Jackson; Director, David Bower; and Program Assistant, Pam Folkers. Photo: Johanna Balzer
Tony Zuniga (left) and his in-laws, Linda and Tony Kusnier, prepare delicious homemade soup every year to send the Ovid/Elsie Walkers on their way. Photo: Johanna Balzer	Janet Schultz (left) and Lee Danville check the progress of their goal of $7,800 for the Water for Life/Water for All Program, helping bring clean water to the people of Kenya. Thanks to a variety of fund-raisers, the participating churches exceeded their goal this summer, collecting $8,816.95. Photo: Johanna Balzer
Sandra Campbell pictured with her dog, “Ginny” has made two “extra steps.” In addition to her leadership role for the Clare Area CROP Hunger Walk, she has made significant gifts to the Africa Initiative in memory of her husband, Fred, and sister Lorraine Schultz, who had both been Walk committee members. Photo: Johanna Balzer	Charles Washburn has participated in a CROP Hunger Walk every year since he was 10 days old. This was number 14 for the teenager. He even left the Youth Deer Hunt to join fellow walkers in the Ovid/Elsie event! Photo: Johanna Balzer

Mark your calendar for Learn & Serve #6: Nov. 10 -- 14, 2008

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 15:33:05 -0500

Plans are under way for the sixth Learn & Serve bus trip to New Windsor, Maryland. We will spend 2½ days working at the Brethren Service Center Clothing Distribution Center, repacking Hygiene, School and Baby Kits, and preparing material aid to be shipped as soon as the next disaster strikes or the next urgent need arises. In addition to working with the CWS Kits, we will also work in the SERRV (a greater gift) warehouse unpacking, inspecting, packing, and pricing third world gift items to be sent out.

Call Pam at 888-297-2767 to be put on the Learn & Serve mailing list to receive information about the Nov. 10 -- 14, 2008 trip.

The following comments are what the Learn & Serve #5 participants had to say about the trip --

It was interesting to learn about serving others and find out what happens to the items donated to CWS.

Enjoyed connecting with other Christians and hearing of their activities.

It gave me a better understanding of CWS work in disaster relief. The evening program presented by Fidele Lumeya was very interesting.

This whole trip surpassed my expectations. I can’t stop talking about it.

It was great to make new friends and to work in the warehouse.

The fellowship was outstanding and the DC tour was informative and delightful.

I found out more about the work of CWS and was able to help in my own small way.

A side benefit of the trip was to meet a diverse group of people joining together in mission.

The staff at the Brethren Service Center were all so cheerful and helpful.

The spirit of volunteerism was definitely present.

Make plans now to join us in November for this fulfilling, educational, and fun mission trip

Next Steps: A report on our new major gifts efforts

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 13:52:03 -0500

Janet Schultz (left) and Lee Danville check the progress of their goal of $7,800 for the Water for Life/Water for All Program, helping bring clean water to the people of Kenya. They are from Shelby United Church of Christ.

Photo: Johanna Balzer/CWS

Lee Danville, and other women from the Shelby UCC Women’s Association heard stories about the need for water in Kenya. While looking through CWS’s “The Best Gift Catalog,” Lee saw the opportunity to provide funds for a well. Lee spoke with our staff, and set to work to raise $7,800 for the new CWS “Water for Life/Water for All” program.

With lots of prayers and enthusiasm, they also invited the women of the Newaygo, Fruitport, Fremont, Grant, and Hart UCC’s to join them. In April, Michigan Director David Bower and Associate Director Johanna Balzer joined a gathering of the participating churches in Shelby, where David shared his slides and stories from the areas of the water programs.

Thanks to a variety of fund-raisers, the participating churches exceeded their goal this summer, collecting $8,816.95. If you are a member of a group, or know of a group that would like to make a special gift to Church World Service, beyond your CROP Hunger Walk, please be in contact with the regional office.

We can also use your help in identifying potential major new sources of funds whether they be a church endowment fund, a foundation, or an individual. Have you considered putting Church World Service in your estate plans?

Michigan is Tops in the Nation – Again!

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 11:57:36 -0500

Althea Hayes (center), Recruiter for Novi United Methodist Church, pauses with some of her Walkers before starting their 10 kilometer Walk in nearly 90 degree heat on October 7. The 20th Anniversary Novi/Northville Walk was coordinated by Dr. Thomas Anan of Faith Community Presbyterian Church of Novi.

Photo: David Bower/CWS

The National Honor Society of Northport and Sutton’s Bay High Schools participated in the Leelanau CROP Hunger Walk with a little friendly competition. They raised $1,152 as well as awareness of impoverished people in their community and throughout the world.

Photo: Liz Lint (teacher/advisor)

The Michigan Region once again is tops in the nation for gifts to Church World Service/CROP (Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty)! In fiscal year 2007 (ending June 30), our CROP Hunger Walk Teams raised more that $2,000,000 and we had total donations of more that $2,500,000! Two of our CROP Hunger Walks were in the top 10 in the nation, and overall we had 13 CROP Hunger Walks in the top 100. Thank you for making Michigan #1 in the nation in Walk income for the 22nd consecutive year! We could not do this without you!

The people of Michigan have taken a lot of hits, faced many challenges, and seen very hard economic times. But you would never know it by the generous and gracious support we receive from you! As someone recently said, “It is precisely because we know hardship that we respond to the plight of others.” The communities of Michigan are not only first in gifts, we are tops in compassion and mercy! We have big hearts for our sisters and brothers in need in our own neighborhoods and around the world. We are driven by compassion, the ability “to feel with” others, and are motivated by the simple, yet profound mission: “Do unto others as you would have them do to you.”

WE TRULY APPRECIATE YOUR COMPASSIONATE HEARTS AND GENEROUS GIFTS, MAKING A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF SO MANY IN NEED!

How to grow a CROP Hunger Walk!

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 11:51:29 -0500

Here are some helpful thoughts regarding the process of growing a CROP Hunger Walk using the organic metaphor:

Charles Washburn has participated in a CROP Hunger Walk every year since he was 10 days old. This was number 14 for the teenager. He even left the Youth Deer Hunt to join fellow walkers in the Ovid/Elsie event!

Photo: Johanna Balzer/CWS

CULTIVATE THE FIELD: Get to know the soil of the community. Investigate the community’s need and aspiration to help impoverished people.

PLANT THE SEED: Share the idea of the CROP Hunger Walk as one way to address some of those needs and aspirations.

WATER THE SEED: Create /Establish a CROP Hunger Walk Team with interested partners.

FERTILIZE THE SEED: Encourage and provide resources for the CROP Hunger Walk Team. Spread the word!

WEED THE PLANT: Meet challenges that spring up.

PRUNE THE PLANT: Invite new leadership aboard and let other leadership go with affirmation and dignity.

ENJOY THE HARVEST: Welcome the fruit of your labor! Have fun and celebrate your CROP Hunger Walk, making a difference in your community and throughout the world!

EVALUATE THE YIELD: Affirm those things that went well and make plans to address the issues of limited growth.

Our hope and desire is that this life cycle continues on an annual basis so that we may have a perennial garden of CROP Hunger Walks in our communities.

The Big Rapids Area had their best CROP Hunger Walk in more than 15 years. More than 75 people walked on a warm and sunny day, raising more than $7,000. We celebrate their labor and harvest!

Photo: Pastor Jeanne Koughn (Coordinator)

Over $40 Million Raised in Michigan CROP Hunger Walks Since 1971!

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 09:48:51 -0500

The Leelanau CROP Hunger Walk had their best Walk in their 18-year history, raising more than $19,000 with over 200 Walkers. Pictured are Kristine Hanson (age 13) with her grandparents Ed Havitz and Pam Fulton. Kristine’s mother, Lynn Hanson (who walked with Kristen but is not in this picture) has been walking in CROP events for many years. In fact, although Kristine is only 13 years old, this is her 15th CROP Hunger Walk. We congratulate Kristine and the long tradition of her parents and grandparents in making a difference in the lives of many people in need through the CROP Hunger Walk!

Photo: Ginger Campbell

In 1971, the first CROP Hunger Walks were held in Michigan. Midland held the first community event, and the United Methodist Youth of the Western Michigan District held a 21-mile CROP Hunger Walk from Marne to Coopersville. The combined income for these two Walks was $10,304. On October 19, 2007, we surpassed $40,000,000 raised in CROP Hunger Walks! We celebrate this amazing milestone with heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has ever participated in a CROP Hunger Walk. Step-by-Step, we make a difference: We are Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty!

Indicators which bring LIFE and VITALITY to a CROP Hunger Walk Team!

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 09:26:30 -0500

The Cadillac Area had a beautiful morning to walk with bountiful fruit to share (more than $9,000 and second best Walk ever). The CROP Hunger Walk was revitalized after a year off, through the coordination of Rev. Valori Mulvey Sherer and a re-energized Walk Team. Pictured are Jim Barton, a former coordinator and member of the Walk Team, and some friends, as they make the trek around Lake Cadillac.

Photo: Tom Eilar Photography

Hopeful and Clear expectations: Team members know their roles and serve together toward a meaningful goal and purpose

Mutual Accountability (Encourage and Evaluate)
Good Communication (E-mail, telephone, regular mail, and personal visits)
New Leadership on the Team Yearly (Gifted people in the right roles)
Shared Recruitment efforts (Use of everyone’s personal networks)
Use of proven Strategies (Online tools, matching gifts, grants, and individual incentives)
Ownership of the Walk by Local Allocation Recipients (Involved in the Planning, Preparation, Promotion, and Participation)
· Simple and Concise Resources
· Creation of Community (Cooperation and Partnership)
· Staff person fully vested in the Walk (Presence)
· Affirmation and Thanksgiving

CROP Hunger Walks: Fall Harvest An Attitude of Gratitude

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 14:47:36 -0500

Jackson Area CROP Hunger Walk leaders celebrate 31st year. Though the weather was wet and gloomy, Susan and Phil Fracker and Susan and John Gahagan are all bright smiles as they stand in front of a long list of $100 plus Walkers. A fine turnout of about 120 Walkers and a preliminary report of nearly $13,500 in funds raised were like rays of sunshine.

Photo: Bob Barnhart/CWS

Sandra Campbell pictured with her dog “Ginny” has made two “extra steps.” In addition to her leadership role for the Clare Area CROP Hunger Walk, she has made significant gifts to the CWS Africa Initiative in memory of her husband, Fred, and sister Lorraine Schultz, who had both been Walk committee members.

Photo: Johanna Balzer/CWS

As we enter the season of thanks giving, we are grateful for the wonderful CROP Hunger Walk Teams, congregations, and individuals who come alongside us to extend the hands of Jesus, making a difference in the lives of countless children, women, and men throughout the world!

Results are still coming in, yet we know that at least 23 CROP Hunger Walks had their best Walk ever in 2007! Another 22 CROP Hunger Walks have gone far beyond last year’s income totals, and we anticipate we will exceed last year’s bountiful harvest! We celebrate reaching our goal of 6,060 Kits for the 60th Anniversary of CROP, and the Alternative Gifts Opportunity continues to gain momentum as we provide a meaningful way to celebrate the Holy Season!

It is our privilege and honor to serve alongside you, our many faithful and generous partners, as we seek to fulfill our mission “Christians working together with partners to eradicate hunger and poverty and promote peace and justice”. Thank you for thanks-living, WE ARE GRATEFUL!