Hundreds walk, run to help the hungry

For the 27th year, New Bern folks of all ages put their feet to the pavement for the annual Crop Walk.

Hundreds gathered at Union Point to register for the Sunday afternoon event to benefit the hungry of the area and world.

The walkers and runners raised $17,100. Last year's Crop Walk raised $20,000.

A volunteer, Joanne Boyle said more money is expected to be counted and collected. Those who want to help they can call Trinity United Methodist Church at 637-2660.

Some ran for six miles and some walked for three miles. The walking or running was finished by 4:30 p.m.

Betsy Conzelman was walking for her second year. Her companion, Zoe, a red Lab-retriever mix, was a first-time walker. The dog yawned as she waited for the event to begin.

Conzelman's father, Pete Conzelman, signed up this year because his daughter was walking and he remembered how his father was underfed for three years after being captured in Corregidor, in the Philippines, during World War II.

"I never forgot that while I was eating and enjoying food my father liked, he was not being fed the food he wanted and probably needed while a prisoner of war," Pete Conzelman said.

Wendy Fisher was busy folding T-shirts for the runners and walkers. She represented Fisher Oil Co., one of the sponsors of the walk.

Fisher said she and her daughter, who is now 26, began participating when her daughter was old enough to walk.

"I like the idea that 25 percent of what is raised stays locally," Fisher said.

She said she and the company like giving back to the community.

"I'm not running this year, but I will be counting the money," she said with a laugh.

Seventy-five percent of the proceeds go to worldwide efforts for the hungry and 25 percent remains in the area.

Mark Peterson, who is 13, said he has been participating for three or four years.

"It is a chance to run and enjoy friends," Mark said. "I just do it. I don't think about who I am helping."

His older brother, Richard Peterson, 16, said he enjoyed both the running and remembering that the money is going to a good cause.

Aaron Roberts, 16, had never been in the Crop Walk. "I like who it helps and I like to run," he said.

Sixteen-year-old Cory Connell also ran. "It was fun last year and it is for a good cause," he said.

There was a prize for the oldest participant. That person received a golden sneaker. The winner was Pete Conzelman, who organizers say "is in his 80s."

BSH, Creekside Cabinets and the Sun Journal also sponsored the walk, along with 17 churches.

Organizers say $250,000 has stayed in New Bern for the hungry since the Crop Walk began 27 years ago.

At the conclusion of the activities, a dinner of beans and rice was served by First Presbyterian Church of New Bern.

Darci McKinnon of First Presbyterian Church, helped cook the meal. "People can eat rice and beans for one night," she said, "and they can see how long it lasts."