Residents step out to raise money at annual CROP WALK

October 03, 2005|by ERIN CUNNINGHAM

KEEDYSVILLE - Scott Mongan was the sweatiest person at Taylor Park in Keedysville, but he had a good reason.

He walked 10 miles Sunday afternoon to get there.

Mongan was one of about 80 people who participated in an annual CROP WALK, benefiting Church World Services, said treasurer Becky Hein. The walkers solicited donations and most walked between three and six miles.

"So, you all made it," Hein said to Mongan after he completed his walk.

Mongan and two others from his church, Brownsville Church of the Brethren, chose to take extra steps to benefit charity. Mongan said he raised $214.

Hein said the total donations will not be known until November.

The walkers, who started from about six different points, met at Taylor Park at 4 p.m., when most took a break to sip water and snack on cookies.

The CROP WALK, which has been operating locally for about 40 years, benefits Church World Services - the relief, development and refugee assistance ministry of 36 Protestant, Orthodox and Anglican denominations in the United States.

While the majority of money raised will to go Church World Services, 25 percent will be donated to the Southern Washington County Food Bank in Boonsboro, Hein said.

Lori Flook began walking at Sharpsburg Pharmacy about 2 p.m. and said the CROP WALK slogan, "We walk because they walk," was something she thought about when seeking donations. Flook said people in other parts of the world are forced to walk miles for food and water.

"You take for granted that we can pick up food and eat whenever we want to," she said.

Tamara White, Sally Hull and Susan Barnes walked with about 12 youth group members from their church, Salem United Methodist Church in Keedysville.

"If they could do it, we should do it with them," White said of supporting the youth group.

White said the walk was hot, passing traffic was loud and she had forgotten about a few hills on the way to Keedysville, but "it was all worth it."

Roger Burtner, who was responsible for bringing the CROP WALK to Washington County, retired about one month ago from his duties. He was honored for his efforts with a plaque Sunday.

"It was working then, and it's still working now," Burtner said of the walk's ability to generate money for hunger relief around the world.

CROP WALKs nationally raise more than $4 million each year.

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