Gratitude shown for those who helped

A very successful CROP Walk was held on March 13.

More than 400 walkers raised close to $36,000 to assist Church World Service in their efforts to alleviate hunger and despair in poverty pockets in the world. Also, 25 percent of the money will assist five local charities.

Many volunteers and generous donations motivated the enthusiasm for the success of this event. California Lutheran University opens their campus each year for the send-off to our CROP Walk.

Local grocery stores—Vons, Ralphs, Albertsons and Trader Joe’s—donated water for our walkers who traveled a 6.5-mile route. A group from Emmanuel Presbyterian Church and another from the YMCA helped run the water and restroom stops at St. Paschal Baylon Church and at the Christian Church of Thousand Oaks.

Thousand Oaks Amateur Radio Club secured the safety of our walkers.

Sunkist donated orange slices as a finish-line treat.

Great Harvest Bread Company from Newbury Park provided samples of organic bread treats.

The Kiwanis Club of Thousand Oaks, Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, Conejo Valley Congregational Church and Ascension Lutheran Church assisted us with donations for T-shirt giveaways.

St. Patrick’s Church provides a place each year for our orientation breakfast in January.

All of you made a difference in our CROP Walk event this year.

My sincere appreciation goes to all my "deputies" who spread the word for CROP. They did a great job in rounding up walkers to participate. Hearty applause goes to all the walkers and especially Rose Balding ,who is 91 years young and who brings in well over $1,000 in donations every year.

Thank you and I hope to see all volunteers and walkers, plus your friends, next year on March 12 for the 2006 CROP Walk.

Sherrill Hyink

CROP Walk coordinator

Thousand Oaks