Thanks for helping the CROP Walk

Records were broken in the March 9 CROP Walk. CROP is an acronym for Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty. The 30th year celebration attracted more than 700 walkers and raised over $51,000.

The majority of proceeds goes to Church World Service to assist its effort to alleviate hunger and despair in the darkest areas of the world. However, 25 percent remains local to assist five charities.

Success of the walk was due in part to generous donations from community residents. California Lutheran University hosts our event each year.

Several grocery stores donated items: Vons, Trader Joe's and Albertsons gave water, but our major supplier was Whole Foods.

Costco donated sliced oranges, and both stores had walking teams. Great Harvest Bread Company shared samples of bread with the crowd.

Initial seed money was given by Conejo Valley Community Church, Kiwanis Club of Thousand Oaks, Ascension Lutheran Church, the Lundring Family for the use of their event room, Skogi Baker and the Connection Builders Club of Los Cerritos Middle School.

Much appreciated is the usage of our two water-stop areas, St. Paschal Baylon Church and the Christian Church of Thousand Oaks, and the volunteers from Conejo Valley Community Church who worked the stations.

St. Patrick's Church hosts our orientation breakfast each January, and grateful applause goes to the Thousand Oaks Amateur Radio Club, which secures the safety of our walkers each year.

Our registration volunteers were confident and helpful.

The "deputies" did a great job rounding up walkers for the event.

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church came through with 112 participants.

Our walkers came from a variety of schools, clubs, religious groups and individuals who wanted to support our cause in alleviating hunger.

Come join us next March, and again, we will make a difference in the world and in the community.

Sherrill Hyink
Thousand Oaks