Concert to kick off CROP Walk
By ALICIA PETSKA
The News Virginian
Saturday, August 11, 2007
The Waynesboro-East Augusta CROP Walk is used to being No. 1.
With more than 30 years spent raising money for the world’s hungry, this church-organized charity trek has often topped statewide rankings when it comes to donations raised per capita. Last year, it shed even that qualified title to become the biggest walk in Virginia, period, raising more money than larger communities such as regional rival Charlottesville.
“We were pretty happy to beat them out,” joked co-chairman Jan Tobias.
Now entering its 32nd season, the CROP Walk is kicking off its donation drive from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday with an outdoor benefit concert at Bethlehem Lutheran Church.
A free show for all ages, the lineup includes Christian bands Covenant, from Faith Point Church in Waynesboro; Rock Salt, whose members include Bethlehem Lutheran pastor and walk co-chairman Randy Lohr; and the Micah Watson band from Newport News.
Refreshments and children’s activities also will be offered. Organizers will be accepting donations for CROP Walk and signing up walkers for the main event, which takes place Sept. 30.
CROP Walk, which takes participants on a three-mile route through Waynesboro, raises money for local and international charities, focusing on issues related to hunger.
Local beneficiaries this year, who will split 25 percent of the overall proceeds, are the Salvation Army, the Daily Living Center, the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, the Valley Program for the Aging Services’ homebound meals delivery program, and - new this year - a soup kitchen started by Second Presbyterian Church in Waynesboro.
Last year, 300 walkers from about two dozen area churches participated in this multi-denominational event, a turnout organizers would like to see repeated. A total of $32,000 was raised.
This marks the first year a concert will serve as the kick-off event.
Traditionally, a small-scale rally has been organized to start what will be six weeks of ensuing fundraising for walk volunteers. Attendance there had waned over the years, though, as longtime volunteers increasingly chose to skip the predictable event.
“It became harder and harder to get people out here,” said Lohr. “People would come, pick up their materials and scoot.”
Added Tobias, “They don’t want to go to a rally and hear the same old stuff. This [the concert], we hope, will be a new way to get them excited, get them ready for CROP Walk.”
For more information on Saturday’s concert or to learn how to participate in CROP Walk, please contact any member of the steering committee: the Rev. Randy Lohr, 942-1290; Jan Tobias, 943-7696; Linda Thompson, 949-8366; the Rev. Glen Holman, 941-2450; Marty and Adam Siebken, 337-4581; or Bill and Peggy Garvey, 949-0034.
Check It Out
WHAT: Waynesboro-East Augusta CROP Walk benefit concert
WHEN: 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Bethlehem Lutheran Church on Ladd Road (just east of the U.S. 340 intersection, near the P. Buckley Moss Museum)
ADMISSION: No charge, donations welcome
Contact Alicia Petska at apetska@newsvirginian.com
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