Article Contributed on: 9/16/2009 7:34:32 PM
Saturday, October 17th, 2009, scores of your friends and neighbors will be walking around Northglenn to raise money for the starving and displaced people of developing countries. These CROP Walks have been going on nationally for the past sixty years and raised millions of dollars, over 264 million in the last twenty years alone, to feed the less fortunate. The local Adams County walk has raised nearly $100,000 in that time, as well.
CROP stands for Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty. The walks not only feed the hungry, but they also provide for vocational training and supplies, even micro business startup loans to allow these folks to provide for themselves. The program is run under the auspices of Church World Services, and also helps provide for the basic daily needs of refugees as well.
Why walk?
The hungry of developing countries typically walk up to six miles a day for basic needs like food, water, fuel, and their livelihoods. We walk for solidarity. We walk because they walk. We walk to raise money for them and ease their burden.
Why CROP?
CROP walks are community based and interfaith. As such, they assist both locally and globally. In fact, 25% of all money raised assists local food banks, pantries, community gardens and other local hunger-fighting agencies. Again this year, Growing Home, a local organization that helps economically challenged folks find sustainable housing will be receiving this 25% share. Donors also have the opportunity to designate their gift to at least nineteen other approved hunger-fighting agencies besides CWS. No other organization does that.
What's the difference?
A little money goes a long way in these developing countries:
-$25 provides blankets for a family of five displaced by violence or disaster.
-$50 provides oral rehydration therapy for 55 children suffering from diarrhea, a deadly disease in developing countries.
-$75 provides a family of five with emergency food supplies for a month.
-$100 provides a micro credit loan to a woman starting a business to support her family.
-$125 provides a year's worth of literacy classes for up to three women.
-$200 provides a water buffalo to a struggling farm family to improve their production.
-$350 provides vocational training for oldest surviving children of parents lost to AIDS, so that they may provide for their siblings.
-$1100 supports community-based health, hygiene, and sanitation training for an entire community.
How can I help?
You can assist the CROP Walk by walking yourself or by donating to CWS/CROP by sponsoring a walker. If you walk, soliciting donations has never been easier. Simply go to
this website and click on Colorado on the U.S. map. Click on the walk you would like to participate in (Adams County, 10-17-2009). Once you've done that you should be presented with the option to donate or to register to walk. There are no face to face situations or awkward silences. All you need is your e-mail address book. Your friends will either delete the e-mail or donate. It's quick and easy for everyone. Online donations can also be made by credit card, so it's never been easier to donate, too!
Who do I contact?
Simply go to my Yourhub profile up there to the right and click on "send me a message" if you would like your own fund raising walker's packet. If you would like to sponsor a walker, follow the directions above to the CWS website or you can make your donation on
my personal donation page. Registration for the10k and 10 mile walks are at 7:30 a.m., Saturday, October 17th, with the walk immediately to follow. Registration for the 5k walk will start at 8:30 a.m.with the walk beginning at 9:00 a.m. All walks begin at Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church's Shepherd's Hall in Northglenn. Directions: I-25 to 104th Ave, a few blocks west to Huron, turn right and go north to Kennedy (about five blocks), turn right and go 1/2 block. Shepherd's Hall will be on the south side of Kennedy Street.
Thanks for your support.
William Boucher,
Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church,
Crop Director