The 2015 planning committee from left, Ted Williams, Jeanie Butler, Cynthia Biddlecomb, Elisa Enriquez, Vincent Chiravalle and Lynn Wysocki-Smith. Wendee Brunish is not pictured. Courtesy photo

COMMUNITY News:

This year’s Los Alamos CROP Hunger Walk and Turkey Trot is again scheduled for the Sunday before Thanksgiving.

When the gun goes off, the Atomic City Runners will get the jump on the walkers, all of them going either 1.7 miles or 2.57 miles, from the Los Alamos Middle School to, or through, the North Mesa Stables and back to the school.

Participants arrive in the LAMS cafeteria after 1 p.m. to register, pick out a t-shirt and turn in canned food for L.A. Cares and donations from sponsors. The donations are key to the success of the event.

Twenty-five percent of the money collected stays in town to feed hungry people locally, while the balance feeds and provides relief to folks around the world through Church World Service and it’s global partners.

Following the walk/run, a drawing is held for turkeys and pies while a potluck of rejuvenating foods is spread. The folks of all ages who just finished the course, enjoy munching on their rewards while learning who will win the drawing.

Finishing times are announced for the fastest runners. The camaraderie in the room is palpable as adults, youth and kids of all ages celebrate having made a public showing of their concern for those in less fortunate circumstances.

Anyone wishing to contribute to the hunger walk efforts, or to participate in it, can go to CROPwalk.org, clicking on New Mexico on the map, and finding the Los Alamos walk on the resulting drop down menu.

You can donate there or register to participate. Donors can enter another hunger agency to which they would like their funds to go, other than Church World Service. Many of these agencies work together in areas of need around the world.

You, your friends and family are welcome to join the walk or the run! Register to participate and create your own Participant Page through CROPWalk.org. Upload a photo, email your friends, and collect donations to help eradicate hunger both at home and abroad.

Once you are registered, you can paste the URL of your participant page into Facebook or an email and ask your friends and family to donate to this worthy cause – and it’s a lot of fun!