BY DAVID BEEMER
When the 2012 Bainbridge Island/North Kitsap CROP Hunger Walk takes to the streets of Winslow on Oct. 7, participants will be missing one of their longtime supporters.
Judi May, who headed up the CROP Walk recruiting activities for St. Cecelia Catholic Church for many years, passed away in an accident in Arizona last spring.
CROP Hunger Walk is about giving a little of yourself to make a big difference in the world. Judi embodied the phrase “give of yourself.” Along with supporting CROP Walk every year, she volunteered her time for other church and community activities and charities, including working with St. Vincent de Paul on the Island, and helping organize local participation in Relay for Life.
While a bit late in arriving on the running scene, Judi sprinted into the sport around age 50 and inspired other older runners as one of the early “members” of Kay Jenson’s “Saturday Striders” exercise group. Her running adventures included several marathons, and remained a significant part of her life. It is that dedication, and that giving nature that moved the BI/NK CROP Hunger Walk team to dedicate the 2012 event to Judi this year.
CROP Hunger Walks support Church World Service, an international assistance organization that works in some 80 countries to provide emergency food aid and long-term development assistance, support infant health and nutrition services, develop sustainable, safe sources of drinking water and promote water as a basic human right to policymakers.
Along with the national and international assistance with CWS, the BI/NK walk raises funds for right here at home. Twenty-five percent of the money earned through pledges stays in our community — 20 percent to Helpline House and five percent to Fishline of Poulsbo.
Several years ago, the BI/NK CROP Hunger Walk was approached by an anonymous donor who offered to match — dollar for dollar — every pledge earned for the local event. So, when you are pledging to the walk this year — think about that doubling magic!
All ages are invited to walk, or you can support the walkers as a sponsor or offer prayers for the success of the event; it all helps. In addition to the walk, CROP Walk funds are raised through Restaurant Day.
On Oct. 4, several Bainbridge Island restaurants are offering a portion of their receipts for CROP Walk:
Bainbridge Crépes, Café Nola, Casa Rojas, Commuter Comforts, Doc’s Marina Grill, Emmy’s Vege House, Four Swallows, Harbour Public House, Mora Iced Creamery, New Rose Café, Pegasus Coffee House, San Carlos Restaurant, Sawatdy Thai Cuisine, Streamliner Diner, SuBI, That’s A Some Pizza, Treehouse Café.
If you can’t make it out on Oct. 7, find a walker and offer a pledge, and eat out on Oct. 4.
Or, you can go to www.cropwalkonline.org, navigate to the Bainbridge walk, and donate online.
It was said that while Judi wasn’t the fastest in a race — she always finished. Let’s make this year a finish that would make her proud!
For more information on the Bainbridge Island/North Kitsap CROP Hunger Walk, contact Nancy Quitslund at 206-842-4658 or Rachel Kerbrat at 206-842-8729.
David Beemer is a member of the CROP Hunger Walk Team.
