Wednesday, November 23, 2016

2016 Hunger Walk Update

"This is one community. It's important to demonstrate that we work together. We are one."
                  Rick Clewett of the Temple Adath Israel
....and YES, we were one on that very warm, sunny Sept. 25th!  On behalf of all our neighbors for whom we WALKED; nearly 300 of us..... GAVE; nearly $25,000 just now..... and CHANGED their WORLD, extreme gratitude to each person that gave their time, energy, funds, creativity -- and most of all your compassion and love to this mission.

       These past several years my team and I have focused on 'growing' the diversity of the WALK mission. We've made progress with including churches, organizations and groups from other surrounding counties. I am grateful to Angelique Bell, friend, Walk participate, and volunteer with ONE for inviting members of Temple Adath Israel and Masjid Bilal Ibn Rabah Mosque to walk with us. What a joyful blessing to welcome new friends to the Greater Lex. CROP Hunger Walk!

   Many Thanks to God's Pantry Food Bank, ONE, East 2nd St. Christian Church, Unitarian Universalist, Maxwell Presbyterian and First Christian Church, Winchester youth groups and sponsors for complementing our Walk experience with their informative educational stations. Kudos! to Crestwood Christian Church youth and leaders, Casey and Patrick, for once again hosting our pre-Walk poster party! Not only did they bring many bright, creative posters to the Walk...but 34 Walkers!

       Gratitude also to our business partner, Alfalfa Restaurant, for their sponsorship and donation!  Other new participants this year: Mason & Hanger Group Inc., St. Luke's Methodist, 1st United Methodist and Crossroads Christian Church. Altogether, friends from 25 churches/temple/mosque representing 5 counties and 4 organizations Walked in solidarity to continue our fight against hunger and poverty here and around the world.

   One of my many blessings is having the honor and joy to partner with each one of you and yours every year as we plan and create another amazing, productive community event! You are all a part of saving lives and changing futures. As we Give Thanks this Thanksgiving, celebrate Christmas and Holiday Joy, do consider sharing more of your bountiful blessings to support the anti-hunger programs of CWS (Church World Service) and God's Pantry Food Bank at crophungerwalk.org/lexingtonky.

        THANK YOU!
        Walking together with Blessings of Peace, Joy and Love,
           Judy Maxson, Organizer

SAVE these 2017 Dates!
   Thursday, Aug. 17th, 7 PM: Recruiter's Rally, at 2nd Presbyterian
   Sunday, Sept. 24th, 3 PM: Greater Lex. CROP (Communities
        Responding to Overcome Poverty) Walk