Crop Walk harvests hope for those in need
134 adults and 13 dogs help raise funds for hungry, poverty stricken
BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP
Staff Writer

SEAN DWYER A group from the Union African Methodist Episcopal Church in Allentown is led on the Crop Walk through Allentown by Ben Quaye, of Robbinsville, on Oct. 22.

ALLENTOWN - The community has helped raise over $35,000 for disaster and hunger relief at home and abroad.

The borough joined 76 other New Jersey communities and countless others across the nation on Oct. 22 in a Crop Hunger Walk. During the event, area residents walked a 5K route through Allentown raising the funding and awareness for domestic and international poverty and hunger relief efforts, according to Alan Chech, the organizer of the Allentown area Crop Hunger Walk.

"The Crop Walk went well," Chech, of Hamilton Township, said. "You do what you can to help others and that's the important thing."

Chech said the walk helps raise peoples' awareness of those who are less fortunate than themselves.

"That's why we also have the children's Mini Walk," Chech said. "It's important to teach kids at a young age to become aware of other people's needs."

SEAN DWYER Allentown's Richard and Eileen Heddy take their children, Evan, 5, Taryn, 2, and Colin, 7, on the Crop Walk throughout Allentown.

Most of the funding collected during the walk will be distributed by the Church World Service (CWS) to provide food, relief supplies, refugee assistance, preventive health care and improvements in food production and water resources in different places around the world, according to Dana Haddorff, spokesperson for the CWS.

CWS is the relief, development and refugee-assistance ministry of 35 Protestant, Orthodox and Anglican denominations in the United States. Celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, CWS was created in 1946 during the aftermath of World War II when a number of denominations came together to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, heal the sick, comfort the aged and shelter the homeless, according to Haddorff.

Crop Hunger Walks now form the foundation for the work of CWS around the world. People in need in the communities that sponsor Crop Hunger Walks also benefit from the fundraisers.

SEAN DWYER Jill Pierson, of Upper Freehold, and her golden retriever puppy, Tori, help raise money for the hungry in the Allentown Crop Hunger Walk Oct. 22.

In Allentown, the Allentown Good Neighbor Fund will get to distribute 25 percent of the money raised in the walk to those in need in the Allentown area, according to Chech.

Although the turnout for the Crop Hunger Walk in Allentown was lower this year than in previous years, Chech said the individuals involved made the walk successful.

"We had less people, but we collected more money from each individual," Chech said.

Since 2004's top fundraiser in the state was a dog and last year pets from the Allentown area helped raise $750, participants were again encouraged to register their animals and collect sponsors for them this year.

"Dogs lead the Crop Walk," Chech said. "Thirteen area pets walked with us and collected a total of $1,643 (more than double last year's total) for an average of $126 per pet, compared to $106 per human walker."

The top dog was Cody, of the Cranstoun family, who collected $605, according to Chech. The top dog received a gift basket donated by Allentown's Susan R. Spreat, VMD of Veterinary House Calls in Trenton. Other pets that participated received a Crop Walk bandanna provided by Donna Mottola.

Over 65 area Sunday School students participated in the Mini Walk from their

respective churches to Pete Sensi Park. Norm Kurzeja played music and the local Santizo family, who are Guatemala missionaries, lead the children in prayer.

The 5K walk had 134 walkers.

"The top human fundraiser again this year was Scott Kelly, of Allentown, who raised over $2,300," Chech said. "Not only did Scott raise the most money, but he also had the most individual sponsors, some with as little as a $1 pledge."

Chech said Kelly starts collecting donations as soon as he receives his sponsor sheet and does not stop until the time of the walk.

"Scott is known in Allentown as the real Mr. Crop Walk," Chech said.

The event started and ended at the Upper Freehold Regional Elementary School. Area Girl Scouts from Troop 1123, of Robbinsville, assisted with coin collections and the watering station for the human and canine participants.

All those attending the walk were rewarded for their efforts by knowing they helped their neighbors locally, nationally, and worldwide by walking in the Allentown Area Crop Walk, according to Chech.

When walkers completed the 5K they were welcomed with dozens of fresh pies and baked goods donated by A&M Farm Market in Robbinsville. Drinks were provided by local Acme, Marrazzo's Thriftway and Shoprite supermarkets. Based on the walkers' total pledges they were given chances to win door prizes donated by area businesses. Over 55 businesses donated prizes ranging from $5 to $200.

Walkers also received a Crop Walk T-Shirt that were provided by over 70 area businesses and family sponsorships. Sponsorships totaled over $19,450 this year, according to Chech.

The banner over Main Street for the event was sponsored by Allentown Auto Body, Allentown Presbyterian Church, Boston Properties, Coast Nursery, Damiano Roofing, Reed's Sod Farm, the Walker family, and the Yardville National Bank, according to Chech.

Chech has been leading the Allentown area Crop Walk since 1992, when his church, the Allentown Presbyterian Church, asked him to take charge of the event.

"It's a lot of work," Chech said. "We start planning for the walk in July. People from various churches and local groups volunteer to help."

Last year's Allentown Area Crop Walk was the No. 2 walk in New Jersey and raised more than $41,000, according to Chech.

"Our goal this year is to stay the course and remain at least No. 2 in New Jersey," he said. "We are well on our way with over $35,000 pledged so far."

He continued, "With the economy how it is, we made less than last year so far, but we are still working on donations," Chech said.

To help the Allentown area Crop Walk reach its goal send donations payable to: CWS/CROP, PO Box 122, Allentown, NJ, 08501 or donate on line at www.cropwalk.org.