Brodhead organizes its first CROP Walk in 30 years
(Published Tuesday, April 24, 2007 11:02:50 AM CST)
A d v e r t i s e m e n t
By Gina Duwe Gazette staff
BRODHEAD-It's been seven years since Jim and Diane Holtz started participating in the Janesville CROP Walk with their daughter, Molly.
When the family moved to Brodhead, the Holtzes continued the tradition at the Monroe walk.
Now, the Holtzes won't have to travel. Organizers are bringing the CROP Walk back to Brodhead after nearly 30 years.
"With some changes in the pastoral leadership in Brodhead, the interest to have one in Brodhead grew, so we're doing our first one (in several years)," Diane said.
For the first time, walkers will take to the streets on the same day-Sunday afternoon-in Janesville, Milton and Brodhead to raise money and awareness for local hunger-fighting organizations and Church World Service.
Church World Service helps communities respond to disasters, resettles refugees, promotes fair national and international policies and provides educational resources. The organization receives 75 percent of CROP Walk donations to help people around the world.
The remaining 25 percent helps fund local organizations.
"We jump in a car and drive to a doctor's appointment or to the grocery store," Diane said. "Most people in the world don't have that luxury, so they have to walk to gather food, to produce food. Often, people have to walk to a river or hopefully a well-and even that's not as common as you would think-to get water for their family's daily needs."
Area churches organize the walk, but anyone can participate. There is no minimum donation, she said.
Janesville will hold its 30th annual walk Sunday, and organizers hope to raise $45,000.
In Brodhead, the goal is to get people walking one kilometer or five kilometers to make a presence, Diane said.
"That will be a great way to start off," she said.
If a good number of walkers participate and show "that we mean business," Brodhead organizers hope next year's walk will attract more donations, she said.
"I don't know if people are aware of how well we have it here in the United States," she said.
"I just feel very blessed, and I tend not to take things for granted, so I think it's just important" to raise awareness for global hunger.
If you go Janesville: The 30th annual CROP Walk starts and ends at Cargill United Methodist Church, 2000 Wesley Ave., on Sunday. Registration begins at 12:30 p.m., and the walk starts at 1 p.m. Proceeds will benefit ECHO. For more information, call ECHO at (608) 754-5333.
Milton: The 19th annual CROP Walk starts and ends at the Milton Community Action Center, 36 Hilltop Drive, on Sunday. Registration begins at 12:15 p.m., and the walk starts at 1 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Milton Community Action/Food Pantry. For more information, contact Carol Hulburt at (608) 868-6105.
Brodhead: Brodhead's CROP Walk starts and ends at the Brodhead United Methodist Church, 501 1st Center Ave., on Sunday. Registration begins at 1 p.m., and the walk starts at 1:30 p.m. Proceeds benefit the White Gift Food Pantry. For more information, contact Rev. Tiffany Bates at (608) 897-2917.
