Despite rain, bugs, they walked to help those who must walk

FALLS VILLAGE — Drenching rain was forecast for Sunday afternoon. So what did the CROP Hunger Walk participants do? They gathered their rain gear and headed out anyway.

Nothing was going to stop this crowd, which turned out to be as big as it usually is.

It was raining lightly as the walkers were registering at Housatonic Valley Regional High School. Just as they gathered at the start line, the sun peeked out from behind dark clouds.

“We walk because they walk!� a group of 20 South Kent School students chanted, repeating the CROP Walk motto.

It’s all about helping those who don’t have easy access to food and water, and the tools to supply their own. CROP Walk is a national annual event sponsored by  Church World Service.

Kathy Burton, the Tri-state coordinator for CROP Walk, was here for the first time in the Northwest Connecticut walk’s 25-year history. She goes to a lot of walks, but said she was truly amazed by the turnout here.

Before she cut the ribbon to start the event, the approximately 300 walkers listened to local students read stories from those who have benefited from CROP Walk funds — from those in Third World countries to hurricane victims in the American South.

Organizer Carl Franson also read some impressive numbers.

In its first 24 years, the local walk raised $539,240, with 6,794 total walkers (and that doesn’t even include the many dogs who come along).

Franson asked for a show of hands from walkers who are 25 years and younger. It was a good portion of the crowd.

“I hope that will continue so we have people to take over for those of us who are getting on in years,� Franson said. He retired this year as pastor at the Sharon United Methodist Church.

Franson expressed his concern about maintaining a sufficient staff to organize and work the walk. Most have been at it for the last 25 years, including Edith Blodgett and Shirley Rogers, who work the registration table. Then they head out and do the walk.

There are people like Mike Fitting, who always shows up to monitor the 5-mile route, haul water and do whatever is needed of him. This year, 500 water bottles bearing the CROP Walk logo and commemorating the 25th anniversary were given to walkers. No one knew they were donated by Fitting.

Reinstated this year was a challenge to anyone willing to run the last mile. Five dollars would be added to the donations in each name. The source of the added donation is a secret. There were quite a few who successfully took up the challenge.

With the enthusiasm displayed Sunday, one would think there were plenty of future organizers in the crowd.

Ellie and Hannah Stewart and Erika Knapp, all of Lakeville, had to be prompted by a parent about why they walk. But the prompt was telling. They were urged to talk about what they had learned about CROP in Sunday school that morning.

When asked if they were going to be able to make the entire 5 miles, 5-year-old Hannah said very matter-of-factly, “I don’t know,� and seemed unfazed by the whole thing. Perfect attitude for an organizer.

As it turned out, the “rain� was more of a mist that fell occasionally, helping to cool walkers who were dealing with high humidity.

It also helped a bit with the gnats and mosquitoes, which were about as bad as anyone could remember.  For those who kept moving (and waving arms) it was just bearable.

A special word of thanks goes out to the Junior Youth Group at North Canaan Congregational Church. They set up a table with water and oranges at the halfway point, on River Road.

The bugs launched an all-out assault, but they toughed it out and helped keep the walkers going.