Social Justice

UUFE in Action for Social Justice with CROP

When? Sunday, October 5, 2:00 pm (register between 1:00 and 2:00) Where? Island Park, Elkhart

Q. What is the CROP walk?

A. It’s an annual event in communities across America, involving over 2 million walkers, sponsors and volunteers raising money to help fight hunger and poverty both at home and around the globe. This will be the29th annual Elkhart County CROP walk. Last year, the event drew about 450 walkers and raised over $62,000.
 
Q. What does CROP stand for?
A.  Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty. It’s a project of Church World Service, a cooperative ministry of Protestant, Orthodox, and Anglican denominations, providing sustainable self-help and development, disaster relief, and refugee assistance in some 80 countries. The website www.elkhartcropwalk.com <http://www.elkhartcropwalk.com/>   has full details.
 
Q. Where does the money go?
A. One fourth of the money stays in Elkhart County to be shared by Church Community Services and Goshen’s The Window. Three-fourths of the money goes to international relief organizations listed on the pledge packet. You may designate your pledge to go to any of these organizations, which include the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, Heifer International, CARE, and others.
 
Q. Where is the walk, and how long is it?
A.  Island Park in downtown Elkhart is the starting point for the walk, which winds through Elkhart’s downtown parks, for about 6.2 miles. Participants do not need to finish the entire walk, only what they feel able to do. The route will have refreshment stops, and restrooms are available in area churches along the route. The full walk takes a little over 2 hours and ends at Island Park, where there will be music, popcorn and cold drinks. The route is accessible for wheelchairs, wagons, and strollers. Well-behaved dogs are also welcome.
 
Q. How can I participate?
A. Walkers register with their organizer and receive a CROP envelope to gather donations, which are tax-deductible. At UUFE, you can see Jenny Bartlett or Jim Raudabaugh on Sunday mornings, or call Jenny (293-0366) to make arrangements for her to get an envelope to you. Because this project is well-known, people are usually happy to donate. They know it’s a trustworthy organization and a good cause.
 
Q. I’d like to be involved, but I’m not able to walk 6 miles.
A. You don’t need to complete the entire walk in order to participate and gather pledges. Walk as much as you are able – even if it’s one lap around Island Park. Your presence helps support this wonderful effort, and puts our UUFE face into this public witness for social justice.
 
Q. How can I sponsor a walker?
A. Our UUFE walkers will have their envelopes available on the CROP table at Sunday service on September 28 and October 5 to receive your donation of cash or check. Any amount is gratefully received! Donations are fully tax deductible.
 
Q. How can I get more information?
A. Check the website:  www.elkhartcropwalk.com
  <http://www.elkhartcropwalk.com/>  
   Call Jenny Bartlett if you have questions.

Fair Trade Coffee

In our Strategic Plan, we stated that we would begin selling Fair Trade Coffee here at UUFE, both as So-cial Action & as a convenience to UUFE members . I am happy to announce that we started that in July. The coffee was purchased by us through 10, 000 Villages and is available at our cost: $8.50 for a 12 ounce bag. We have 4 varieties. See Gene Wiswell.

Second Sundays are Social Justice Sundays!

Next Event: Broadway Christian Food Service Crew; Meet at Broadway Christian November 9th at 9:30. See Jim McConnell for details.