Ventura's CROP Hunger Walk is Only Two Weeks Away!

Wow! When we set the date back in June for our first-ever Fall Walk (we've always walked in the Spring until now), it seemed months away (it was!) but now we're down to counting the days . . .

Walkers, how are you doing with your fundraising? Don't forget you can also create an online web presence as part of the Ventura Walk. Set up your own page or have one person from your group create a team page that all of you can link to. It's another way to ask friends and family - especially those not in the area - to help support your walk. If you haven't already, take a look at this link for our Ventura Walk and see how easy it is to sign-up.

Most of our organizing committee members are currently on trips or about to leave on one but thanks to the internet, we are able to keep on working to make this event flow smoothly. We could use some help, though, so if any of you would like to do a little extra for this hunger walk, here's how . . .

• We can use help putting up posters around town - do you know any businesses you could ask to post one? Your recruiter should have a few but send an email or comment to this blog or on our Facebook page and we'll get you some.

• The money donated by walker sponsors goes toward fighting hunger but we do have some event expenses that need to be paid through other means.  The City charges $170 for our permit and we want to have snacks and drinks for you when you finish your walk.  Do you know a business or individual who could donate money or refreshments?  Please ask and let us know.

• Do you know anyone might be willing to put our walk directional signs on sidewalks and poles on Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning? Two people with a car can cover the 10k and 5k routes in less than two hours.  In the past a group of cyclists did it in less time.

• We can always use help setting up and decorating on Sunday between 11am and 1pm.

• We need volunteers to help prepare and serve refreshments.

• Do you like to bake cookies or could you provide some fresh vegies or fruit?

• Since everyone wants to know how much we raised, we can also use a few people to help account for the envelopes and forms turned in that day.  Do you know someone who would like to help do this rather than walk?

• Take-down and cleanup won't take too long if we have enough helpers.

As the saying goes, it takes a village to put on any successful hunger walk!  Please keep on asking for donations and stay healthy so you can enjoy the walk around our beautiful city!

The CROP Hunger Walk 2012 Countdown Has Begun!

It's hard to believe the hunger walk here in Ventura is a little over 9 weeks away! Here are a couple of links to give walkers a little more information. This will link you to our walker brochure which tells you what you are supporting and how it will help local Ventura agencies. It also has basic things you need to know as you ask people to sponsor you. This year, we have two official routes, so when you check-in on walk day, we will ask you if you will be doing the 5K or 10K walk. We hope more people will commit to the longer walk but we understand time commitments as well as the needs of younger participants. Click on this link to see our route maps.

Date Set for the 2012 Walk

The votes are in and this year's Ventura CROP Hunger Walk will take place in the Fall, during what is often some of Ventura's most pleasant and beautiful weather! So save the date - Sunday, October 28th, and plan to walk or help out that day. We definitely need more people to help plan and put on the event, so please let us know if you would like to help in any way. Be sure to "like" our Facebook page, we are growing by the day!

Help Us Choose the 2012 Hunger Walk Date

You can help by taking this quick survey.

Another way to help is to "like" our Facebook page - it will help us get word out faster to all the Facebookers:

Today's the Day!

Walk Day has finally arrived and we hope you're ready to "walk the walk"! 76-degree weather is predicted for today, so it should be a gorgeous, although somewhat breezy, walk through town. Please remember to allow enough time to check-in (inside First United Methodist Church's Trotter Hall at 1338 E. Santa Clara St.) Bring your walk envelope/sponsor sheet, preferably with all donations ready to turn-in. If you still need to collect your donations, just bring the top sheet of your envelope and turn in the rest by May 17th.

DJ Dan will be playing music by 12:45, so come pack a lunch and picnic in the church courtyard before the walk. We will have an informal sendoff at 1:45 and walkers will leave at 2pm. The band, Blues Fever, will begin playing once the walkers begin returning and should be there until 4pm-ish. Virgil Nelson and his crew will offer footwashing to anyone who wishes to treat their tired feet.

There is still time to sign-up - just make a small donation to the cause and sign-up by 1:45 to join us. We can fight hunger and improve the quality of life in Ventura and around the globe . . . one step at a time!

Only Three Days to Go - So Where Are We Walking?

Since the City is reconstructing the Promenade, we have changed our route this year. So many of us love walking along the beach, so in order not to miss that ocean view, we are walking toward Emma Wood State Beach. The rest is very familiar - up to Project Understanding (past Catholic Charities and Family to Family) and through Downtown.

Click on this link to see the map.

Walk Day Entertainment

The Ventura CROP Hunger Walk is less than one week away! We can still use help (set-up, refreshments, results counting, clean-up, donations) and we welcome anyone wishing to walk - just use the email link here or sign-up online (link on the left).
For all you walkers and helpers, we have musical and other entertainment - before and after you walk!

DJ Daniel D will be providing music in the courtyard from 12:30ish until 1:45. Pack a lunch, come early, check-in and then enjoy! DJ Daniel D has DJ'd events on the Red Carpet at Paramount Studios, has hosted public and private events for over 10 years. (He is available for private parties and weddings, offering a professional DJ service with premium sound equipment and lighting, and all styles of music, so you might think of him next time you are planning an event!)

A wonderful gift of service has returned to the Ventura Walk - footwashing! Virgil Nelson is organizing some folks to massage your tired feet as they soak in warm water . . . ah!

When you come back, you will also be greeted and entertained by the Blues Fever band. Sit down and rest, refresh yourself, and if you like, dance! The band will be playing from about 3 - 5 pm.

If you are still here, or if some of you diehards are late getting back, you can also refresh yourself with a free cup of espresso coffee! The Open Door coffee house offers espresso drinks at the church nearly every Sunday from 5-8 pm and all are welcome; this is an outreach ministry, definitely not members-only!