Chelsea Retirement Community (CRC) residents have a long history of supporting the Chelsea/Dexter CROP Hunger Walk. This year’s local event will be held on October 1. However, to help raise awareness and offer CRC residents an opportunity to participate, the CRC Resident Council Spiritual Life Committee is hosting a “pre-walk” on September 28 on UMRC’s picturesque Chelsea campus.
“’We walk because they walk’ is the CROP Walk motto,” says CRC Chaplain Cathy Rafferty who is also serving as Team Captain for the event. “So this year, we are providing a way for residents from all across our campus to participate and help raise money for this worthy cause.”
The CRC “pre-walk” path will begin at Towsley Village Memory Care Center, then continue to Glazier Commons Assisted Living and past the entrance to CRC’s new Prairie Cottages, then on to Kresge Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, circling the Rose Garden, rounding the Chapel, and finishing at the Dancey House entrance. “The route is designed so residents from across the campus may join the Walk for looped portions, or complete the entire course, as they are able,” says Cathy. “Volunteers and CRC staff will be on hand to help our residents with physical limitations join in the event and to cheer on all the walkers along the route.”
CRC resident and Team Walk Recruiter, Jean Sayre from Grand Blanc says she has been helping with CROP Walk for over 30 years. “I have always been mission-minded,” says Jean, “and I like that the CROP Walk is an ecumenical program that brings people together from all faiths, much like our CRC residents who represent a variety of faith backgrounds.”
Twenty-five percent of the proceeds raised by the Chelsea/Dexter CROP Walk stay in the community to support Faith in Action. The remaining 75% of funds are used to help end hunger around the world.
In addition, CRC’s resident SPEIC (Social, Political, Environmental Issues) Committee is sponsoring a food drive to support Faith in Action, and staff and residents have been donating a variety of canned goods and non-perishable items.
You can participate, too! Donate a food item or make a gift to CWS/CROP. For details on how you can find our CRC Team online to donate or register as a team member walker, go to: www.crophungerwalk.org/chelseami.
CROP Hunger Walks started in 1969. Today, over 2,000 U.S. communities join in CROP Walks to alleviate hunger in the United States and abroad. (www.crophungerwalk.org).