400 Caring, Concerned Central KY Neighbors Walk

     "Over the past 10 years, we have ended hunger for over 100 million people. We will not stop walking,
and we will not stop working until hunger is erased."

Rev. John McCullough, CEO/President Church World Service, in his step-off message to us.

      Approximately 400 caring, concerned Central KY neighbors walked in solidarity on a warm, sunny Sept. 28th for all of our sisters, brothers and children in KY struggling with hunger and poverty and for all those around the world suffering the dire outcomes of hunger and lack of access to clean, safe water.

      We were delighted to welcome many new 'faces' representing new churches and organizations.  Joining our mission were Walkers from East 2nd St. Christian Church, many youth from KCMC-CYF (KY Christian Missionary Convention- Christian Youth Fellowship) with their director Juanita Greene, St. Michael's Episcopal, St. Andrew's Episcopal, Twin Pines Christian, Greater Liberty Baptist, Transy Students, Suburban Women's Club, Highland Baptist-Louisville, Southland Christian and Consolidated Baptist.  Total 27 churches and 3 organizations!

      The Dime Collection Kick-off was a success!  Nearly $560.00 collected over the summer.  Kudos! to 1st Presbyterian Church in Winchester for collecting $105.00.  YES!  Do begin collecting DIMES for 2015...a few have already started, including me. :)  This is a superb, visual awareness and educational tool; especially for our children and youth.  Just having the collection bottle in view reminds all of us of our many blessings! 

      Abundant thanks!, Stacey Stone for coordinating the Youth Poster-Making Rally in early Sept. and the educational stations along the Walk.  Rev. Johns and youth from 1st Christian Church, Winchester, Rev. Sara and 2nd Pres. Youth, all the UUC members that played the drums, sang to us AND presented a station, God's Pantry, and the One Campaign: your creative, informative and inspirational presentations were imperative with increasing awareness of hunger and poverty issues. The 'drum beats' and uplifting choral voices definitely energized our steps and found many of us 'dancin in the street.'

      Additional gratitude to the many loyal volunteers that help make this all happen!  Thanks to my team members, the many recruiters and pastors, those assisting with registration, crossing guards, selling T-shirts, photographers and our bus driver-Lakshman.

      AND! what an honor and joy to have Rev. McCullough and John Dolon spend the afternoon with us!  I am pleased that many of you were able to speak with both of them before and during the Walk.  They truly enjoyed participating and sharing the afternoon with us.  I've already invited both back next year. :)

      We were also honored to have Steve Kay, City Councilman, present Mayor Gray's Walk Day Proclamation to us.  We also received recognition from Gov. Beshear!

      At this time, we are still working toward reaching our collective goal of $25,000. To date, nearly 68% achieved!  Since the online donation site (www.cropwalkonline.org) is available through March 2015, do share your Thanksgiving and Christmas Blessings with our neighbors, near and far. Ask your family and friends to also honor those in need with a donation to Greater Lex. CROP Hunger Walk. Thank You!

     Next Year----Sunday, Sept. 27th!

     With Gratitude, Peace, Joy and Love,
     Judy Maxson

2014 Walk Day Info

    "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has."     Margaret Mead

 

      GOOD NEWS!   To date, 21 Greater Lex. churches and youth fellowship groups are committed to taking a stand against hunger and poverty in our world, and right here in Central and Eastern KY, on Sunday, Sept. 28th.   Our goal is to raise $25,000 to help our neighbors, near (God's Pantry Food Bank) and far (Church World Service) that are struggling to feed their families and to secure access to clean, safe water.


Oxford Christian's 2013 Walk Team

     MORE GOOD NEWS!  You and Yours can join this Labor of Love mission now! Go to cropwalkonline.org or click the 'Donate' or 'Support a Team' links in the right-hand column of this blog.

Walk Day INFO:

• 3 PM.  NO registration fee.  If you register on-line, DO bring your hard copy reg. form with you.
• Bring your dime collection bottles OR keep until Nov. 1st and turn-in with remainder of funds raised.
• Bring a can food for God's Pantry.  Protein foods needed--peanut butter, canned meats along with canned fruits/veggies.
• Bring your own water bottle.  We are 'Green'.
• Educational stations along the route will show our relative privileges.  Music stations will celebrate our unity to make a difference.
• Unable to walk the 3 miles?  2nd Pres. church van will drive the route. 
• Welcome our honorable guests.  Rev. John McCullough and Mr. John Dolon

     Many Thanks to our educational leader, Stacey Stone, for organizing the CROP Hunger Walk Youth Rally on Sept. 7th.  For more info: uucldre@uucl.org.

     Much appreciation to Rev. Jerry Johns, First Christian DOC Church, Winchester, and his congregation for once again sponsoring a water station at the Pioneer Festival Labor Day weekend to benefit our Walk.  WOW!  the large glass bowl was filling fast with donated dollars when I visited their booth Sat. afternoon.  I loved seeing the CROP Hunger Walk T-shirt hanging from their tent.

     God's Pantry Food Bank 'kicks-off' Hunger Action Month on Sept. 1st.   "We are painting this community orange, the color of hunger, so Together We Can Solve Hunger."  The CROP Hunger Walk is one of their action events!  See hungeraction.org and drop by the Food Bank to pick up your Orange yard sign!  Placing mine today. :)

     Abundant Thanks to all the participants, recruiters and volunteers that are putting their faith into action as we work together to share help, bring gifts of hope and advocate for ALL of God's children.

     See you the 28th!

     Blessings,
             Judy M.

Here is our walk route for 2014

 

Plans being made for the 2014 Walk

Greater Lexington CROP (Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty) Hunger Walk

Sunday, Sept. 28th.  Second Presbyterian Church, Ransom/E. Main

3:00 PM registration   3:30 PM--3 mile experiential Walk

Special Guests :  Rev. John McCullough, CEO and President Church World Service and Mr. John Dolon, KY-IN Field Director for CWS

         Interested in learning more about local and global hunger issues? Astonished that many of our neighbors worldwide do not have access to clean, safe water! Wonder what other problems contribute to our sisters, brothers and children living in poverty---here  KY and around the world?  AND....you want to actively "do something" to help end it?

         YOU CAN... by taking one step at a time with your Central KY friends and neighbors.  Sponsored by Church World Service (CWS), the CROP  Hunger Walk is the oldest hunger- fighting fundraising and educational event in the US.  More than 1600 communities gather together to WALK in solidarity for those in need of basic, human rights.  We are a very diverse mix of faiths, cultures, individuals, groups, schools, organizations from 6 Central Ky counties that work together every Fall.  25% of the money we raise is given to our local God's Pantry Food Bank and the remainder to CWS to support the life-saving global work.  Rest assured, the work of Church World Service is based on a 'hands-up' model  (get to the root of the problem); not a 'hand-out' focus.  Discover more-www.churchworldservice.org.

           The 2014 CROP Hunger Walk is currently STEPS ahead of any prior year!  There is still plenty of time to join the 'Water-Dime' Kick-off program.  During the past couple months, more the 100 bottles are being 'tapped' with DIMES to "help CWS bring clean, safe water through sustainable solutions to our neighbors worldwide", including Eastern KY!  A 16 oz water bottle filled with just DIMES equals nearly $100.00.  Definitely a fun, easy, promotional WALK tool for you, your family, friends, church, work, etc.  Everyone has a dime or two to spare! PLEASE, email me (jke659@gmail.com) and I will deliver your labeled bottle(s) or mail the labels if you live outside Fayette CO.

           OTHER pre-Walk activities your organizing team (Alice, Anne, Stacey, Stephen and Suzi) are planning:
       Recruiter's Rally, Thurs. Aug. 21st, 2nd Presbyterian Church, Lex.  7 P-8:30P   Alice Rogers, God's Pantry staff, will be our guest speaker.
       Watch for your email invitation within next 10 days!  You will receive all needed materials, posters, church bulletins, etc. to promote your group's Walk.  Also, I will have T-shirts available at a reduced rate for all recruiters!  PLEASE, inform me if you are interested in representing your group and attending the Rally!  Right now, approx. 30 groups are involved.  We are the largest Walk in KY!

Hunger/Poverty Sign-making party for all YOUTHS. Thanks to Stacey Stone, our creative, educational leader.  More info later.

             Once again, my honor to work with all my team, recruiters, and volunteers as we plan for this year's exciting Walk!  We are looking forward to meeting and welcoming new groups as we grow this mission.

              Blessings with Joy and Peace,
              Judy Maxson, Walk coordinator

             "We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. BUT, the ocean would be less because of that missing drop."
          Thanks, Mother Teresa !