Eau Claire Crop Walk

Members of Hope walk with other Eau Claire area residents every fall to support this cause. This article on Hope's Janet Carson appeared in the Spring 2001 issue of Cropwalker:

We honor Janet Carson, who has been coordinator of the Eau Claire CROP WALK since 1992, when she retired after teaching art for 26 years at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and 15 years in other public institutions. In 1991, Janet met with her neighbor, Jan Etnier, who was the CROP WALK coordinator at that time. Janet was newly retired and looking for a worthwhile project she could adopt, and CROP seemed to be a good fit. She took over as Eau Claire's coordinator the following year. Janet has made "We can do it" her motto and has increased the goals for the Eau Claire WALK each year. By rallying various groups in the area to work together, Janet has been able to develop a strong planning committee. Good organization has been a key to Janet's success. (Eau Claire has raised $22,716 in 2000.) She sets a time limit for meetings and each committee person has a responsibility and a set time to speak. Janet says that serving as the CROP WALK coordinator for the Eau Claire WALK has given her a great deal of personal satisfaction without becoming overwhelming because she can rely of the suport of her committee, youth and women's groups, church congregations, local media, food pantries, and area celebrities. Mary Schoenknecht has served as Eau Claire's Treasurer for many years. Eau Claire has set its goal for the 2001 WALK at $26,000. Congratulations, Janet!

For more information on CROP WALK, see the Church World Service web page.

Top 10 Reasons to Join a CROP Walk

10. Getting sponsors easier than selling band candy.
9. Sacrifice of Sunday afternoon is noble gesture.
8. Burn off 700 calories without paying membership fees.
7. Challenge hole in ozone layer with high performance sunscreen.
6. Exchange carbon dioxide for oxygen with friendly trees and plants.
5. Walking better for digestion than two fists of oat bran fiber.
4. Possible sympathy from loved ones for blisters and shinsplints.
3. Gets family dog out of house in socially responsible way.
2. Black tie optional.
1. And the number one reason to sign up for a CROP Walk? You can help stop hunger and give folks with life threatening problems a chance for a change. No kidding.