Thunderstorms Won't Deter Dearborn CROP Walk Participants

A 70 percent chance of rain in Sunday's forecast might be cause for some outdoor event cancellations, but for participants in the 2013 Dearborn/Dearborn Heights CROP Walk, the show must go on.

This year's walk, which raises money for hunger projects locally and around the world, will begin at Rosedale Gardens Presbyterian Church in Livonia at 1:30 p.m.

Event coordinator Joel DeHamer said Dearborn participants are merging with the Livonia CROP Walk for the second year in a row due to lower turnout at recent walks.

"In the past we've had between 80 to 100 walkers, and that number is down significantly this year," DeHamer said.

Twenty-five percent of the money walkers receive via pledges will return to the Dearborn/Dearborn Heights communities. The remaining 75 percent will be sent to Church World Service to provide food for poor neighborhoods in the United States and other countries.

Participants at Sunday's event can choose to walk a 2-mile or 6-mile path that begins and ends at Rosedale Gardens Church.

"In my 15 years of attending the CROP Walk, weather has not been an issue," DeHamer said. "If it rains on Sunday, we'll still be out walking."

To donate to the Dearborn/Dearborn Heights CROP Walk, visit the Church World Service website and click on "find a walk," then click the donate online button.

Anyone who wants to participate or help organize the 2014 CROP Walk may contact Joel DeHamer at jdehamer@wowway.com, or call 313-565-0562.