Lance Smith (right) of the Congregational Church presents Dolores Zeece the Catalyst for Change Award. Zeece the 2008 Honorary Chairperson for Polk County CROP Walk also received a hand made batik plaque, in honor of her dedication in starting the Polk County CROP Walk tradition. Sunday, November 9 2008, Over 300 walkers raised $9000 plus to provide a better quality life for people around the globe &bsp;CROP Stands for Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty. The event was just that, a diverse group of individuals working toward a common goal.

Music by Straight From the Heart, Joyful Noise, Broken Bread, and classical guitarist Jhon Akers filled the air as walkers lined up at the start to walk with their brothers and sisters around the world. We walk because they walk was the theme for the day. Many people world wide must walk many miles each day for the basic needs of life. They walk for water, they walk for food, they walk for fuel to stay warm many walk because they have been displaced by war or disaster. Thermal Belt CROP Walkers walk to raise funds and awareness for those who have so little.

Clubs and groups sported banners and signs showing that they we there part of this community binding event. Many walked miles but some only a few steps and many walked in spirit with their donations, but everyone had one goal to increase the quality of life for our neighbors and that is just what they accomplished.

Lance Smith, a Crop Walk organizer and the CE-Youth Director at Congregational Church of Tryon UCC, issued the following comment about the 2008 event: &dquo;The beautiful sunny fall day, the incredible atmosphere and the joy of doing something special for others filled the air. The 2008 Polk County CROP Walk was an incredible event because of the caring, sharing people who work and live in our community.&dquo;