Walks to feed families cropping up in area
JANESVILLE — If you're one of many who took advantage of warm March days to get back outside and start your walking regimen, you can continue getting fit by walking or running for a cause this April to end hunger locally and worldwide.
Spring 2012 CROP Hunger Walks are scheduled for Sunday, April 22, and Sunday, April 29, in four Rock County communities.
Last year, the Janesville CROP Walk raised $32,783 thanks to the help of 21 local churches, organizations and others who participated. Of the money collected, 75 percent benefited Church World Service to provide assistance nationally and internationally. The other 25 percent benefited ECHO, a local faith-sponsored charity, said Barb Cisler, coordinator.
Cisler and her husband Terry travel around the world.
"We see a lot of countries that do not have the same kinds of resources, food and facilities we do, and Church World Service is a way to help these people in India, Vietnam, China, the Dominican Republic and Africa," she said.
It also is a way to give resources to a trusted organization, Cisler said.
"Sometimes if you just send your money off to some place, you don't always know where it is going. But Church World Service is an organization I feel really good about after having worked with it the past 11 years. I've been very happy with the way they have used our money," she said.
"Not only are they providing food, but they are also into trying to help countries set up safe water," Cisler said.
A goal of raising $40,000 with 450 participants has been set by organizers of the Janesville CROP Hunger Walk, she said. It has collected $866,487 during the last 34 years.
"We need $33,513 to reach $900,000 in the Janesville walk," Cisler said.
Below are details of each walk:
-- Orfordville—Sunday, April 22, with a 1 p.m. registration and 1:30 p.m. walk that starts at Albrecht Elementary School, 1400 21st St., Brodhead.
Contacts: The Rev. Mary Froiland, msfroiland@aol .com, (608) 879-2934 or the Rev. Tiffany Bates, pastor
bates@brodheaducc.com, (608) 897-2917.
-- Brodhead—Sunday, April 22, with a 1 p.m. registration and 1:30 p.m. walk that starts at Albrecht Elementary School, 1400 21st St., Brodhead. This is a 5K walk.
Contacts: the Rev. Tiffany Bates, pastorbates@brodheaducc.com, (608) 897-2917 or the Rev. Pedar Johanson, (608) 897-2341.
-- Janesville—Sunday, April 29, with a 1 p.m. registration and 1:30 p.m. walk that starts at Cargill United Methodist Church, 2000 Wesley Ave., Janesville. Participants can walk or run 2K, 5K or 10K.
Anyone can pledge online by visiting churchworldservice.org.
Contacts: The Rev. Steve Ekblad, steven.ekblad@gmail.com, (608) 754-0067, or Barb Cisler, barbcisler@hotmail.com, (608) 754-2093.
Walk materials also may be picked up from Sue McCrone, client advocate, ECHO, 65 S. High St, Janesville, or by calling her at (608) 754-5333. Walk participants also are invited to donate nonperishable food items for ECHO the day of the walk.
In addition, these events have been scheduled to support the Janesville CROP Hunger Walk: Mac's Pizza Shack, 2307 Milton Ave., 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, April 16; Culver's, 2421 W. Court St., 4 to 8 p.m., Monday, April 23.
-- Milton—Sunday, April 29, with a 12:15 p.m. registration and 1 p.m. walk that starts at the Community Action Center, 36 Hilltop Drive, Milton. This is a 5-mile walk.
Contacts: Carol Hulburt, carolannh@charter.net, (608) 868-6105 or Jan Marquis, (608) 868-4287.
Apr 6, 2012 at 1:16 p.m.
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"Just don't tell me you are going for a walk and that great sacrafice somehow should motivate me to give to a cause..."
No, BillyClyde, the cause itself, whatever it may be (in this case hunger/poverty/distaster aid), should motivate you to give to a cause.
You know as well as I do that many people might be less inclined to just hand over a buck on their own or without receiving something in return, or at least being aware that the cause exists, so, in this case, a walker is promising to sweat a little in return for your buck, AND no overhead is taken from the proceeds to purchase giveaways so YOU won't feel cheated out of a buck. In other cases, you might get a box of cookies...a candy bar or candy cane...Is this what would motivate you?
The walk itself is just representative, perhaps intended to call attention to the cause, maybe because many of those people who are the "cause" will walk many miles a day to get food (especially in "third world" locations), or to just obtain water for their family's needs. This walk does not just collect money for food, but also things that will help people obtain goods for their future self-sufficiency (like farming tools and water wells) in some places around the globe. Disaster relief is also part of this effort.
Apr 6, 2012 at 12:49 p.m.
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"If you're going to walk, it's simple enough to take a plastic grocery bag with you and pick up trash/litter you would normally ignore."
What a great idea (and I really mean that.) The entire concept of walking, running, biking, etc to raise funds for something escapes me. I am suppose to donate to a cause because someone else is going to go on a walk? Now, if they are picking up litter along the way I support that. If they are washing cars, I will bypass the regular location and gladly pay and tip them. If they are doing odd jobs for Senior Citizens I will pay for the materials and make an additional donation for the hungry. Just don't tell me you are going for a walk and that great sacrafice somehow should motivate me to give to a cause.
Apr 6, 2012 at 9:34 a.m.
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Cynicaleye Why are you so negative? The beauty of the River is great and it is the people that ruin it. I agree Nelle
Apr 6, 2012 at 9:10 a.m.
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Really, Rock River is beautiful? You must not get around much.
Apr 6, 2012 at 8:16 a.m.
Suggest removal
If you're going to walk, it's simple enough to take a plastic grocery bag with you and pick up trash/litter you would normally ignore.
Make the world a better place in more than one way!
(In Janesville, litter that goes down storm drains ends up in our beautiful Rock River.)
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