Even though the weather was not on their side, 20 hearty (in more ways than one) souls from Jasper County walked the three-mile route to raise money for CWS/CROP to help combat hunger locally, in Iowa and abroad on Sunday, beginning at 2 p.m. at the Jasper County Courthouse. Other individuals showed up to participate but, understandably, decided not to walk due to the rain.
The following individuals registered to walk with County Treasurer Janice Carpenter of Newton: Rev. Doug Oelke, Dennis Evans, Diane Knight, Judy Williams, Kathy Peterson, Marilyn McCallister and Jack Maples of First Baptist Church; Janet Cook of the Congregational United Church of Christ; Linda Curtis-Stolper of First Presbyterian Church; Larry Hurto and Joy Stout of First United Methodist Church; Rochelle Dungan and Paul Koeppen of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church; and Jerry Van Wyk, Adan and Michael Van Ekeren, Jason and Carson Taylor, and Christy and Tori Lindsay of First Reformed Church in Prairie City. Donations were also turned in from St. Luke United Methodist Church and the United Presbyterian Church, and additional pledges were made online. Sacred Heart Catholic Church will also be supporting Catholic charities with their pledges.
A reception was held following the walk at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Latham Hall, hosted by Kathy Trotter, Brenda Malott and Meredith Tracy, with cookies, bars, fruit, juices and hot chocolate donated by members of Newton’s Mission Coalition. Thanks to all who made this possible.
The total amount of monies raised with be announced at a later date. Twenty-five percent of these funds will be given to local food pantries throughout the county.
On behalf of Church World Service/CROP, I would like to express my personal appreciation to all these volunteers. Never before has there been more need for food sources in our world, country and state, and we can always count on the stalwart citizens of Jasper County to rise to the occasion.
Barry Hurto
Newton