Ortonville- For the past eight years, Sharon Voyer has invited students to participate in the annual Ortonville CROP Walk with her, in an effort to build a sense of community within them, as well as raise money for a good cause.
‘I want to get them thinking about being good citizens,? said the fourth grade teacher at Brandon Fletcher Intermediate School. ‘We do community events like this and try to have the kids reach out… We talk about how some kids in our world are hungry for different reasons and this is a good way to give back. The kids like it. Not everyone can participate, but the kids who come have fun and I like to build classroom relationships and build community.?
The 34th annual Ortonville CROP Walk is planned for 1:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 5, beginning at the Ortonville United Methodist Church, 93 Church St. Registration is at 1:15 p.m. The 3-mile walk winds through the village and participants collect pledges with the goal of ending hunger. A quarter of the proceeds raised are given to the Ortonville Community Emergency Fund, the local food pantry, while the remaining 75 percent of funds will go to Church World Service, which distributes the assistance to areas around the world experiencing dire famine and poverty.
Last year, the Ortonville CROP Walk raised a little more than $6,000, an increase over 2012. Sue Sirgany, CROP Walk committee member, said this year’s goal is to raise $7,000, which would bring the total raised to fight hunger by locals during the walk’s 34 years in existence in this area to $260,000.
‘I like that it is a way to bring together different members of the community and an easy way to raise awareness of hunger and build community bonding,? said Sirgany. ‘Money stays with OCEF, but it also extends goodwill and help to people throughout the world.?
A bagpiper starts the walk and military veterans will lead participants down the first few blocks.
Voyer said last year, her class raised $300 for the CROP Walk, although her focus is not on raising large amounts of money, but just to get children involved, asking them to donate whatever they are able, perhaps $1 by doing an extra chore. She notes that the CROP Walk has added a feature where participants can carry a gallon of water or two around the bases at the T-ball fields to experience what it is like for families in underdeveloped countries whom have to walk far to get fresh water and must carry it back.
‘It’s all about helping and being involved in the community,? Voyer said.
Sirgany agrees.
‘Everyone is welcome to come out, you don’t have to donate much? you can walk for $1 and they feed you at the church after,? she said. ‘Lace up your shoes and be there at 1:15 or 1:30, ready to register and walk. You’ll be doing good for people around the world and here at home.?