New Paltz CROP Walk About Us
The New Paltz Walk A Thon for hunger relief was started by Pastor Paul Walley of the New Paltz Student Christian Center in 1973. The "Walk" was first known as United Nations World Food Program and was held at SUNY Campus New Paltz on their field track. 50 college students walked and raised $2,000.00. Wanting to make this a community event, Pastor Walley took the "Walk" to the streets of New Paltz. This proved to be a good idea, but safety of walkers needed to be addressed. Mohonk Mountain House and Mohonk Preserve came to the rescue and gave permission for the event to be held on their grounds. The Walk A Thon Against Hunger (as it became to be known) consisted of walking 18 miles on Mohonk Preserve and Monhonk Mountain House property. Typically held on the first Saturday of May, this format would make it the longest walk to raise money for hunger relief on the east coast. With names like "heart break hill" and "cardiac hill", this all day event, was a challenging event "loved" by all.
Times change and so do all good things. With its growing popularity, safety issues and limited personnel (to keep track of all the walkers over the 18 mile course), Mohonk Mountain House decided not to hold the event in 1999. Undaunted, the "Walk" was moved to Minnewaska State Park. The "Walk" was cut down to 10 miles, but still proved to be a very challenging day event.
With changes in State administration and State cut backs, the "Walk;" now known as the New Paltz CROP Walk, was once again moved in 2002 to its present location on the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail System. Established on the old rail road bed, this site proved ideal for families, joggers and sightseers. It is now a 5 mile walk to accommodate the changes in life styles. Start time was also changed to Sunday afternoon; with the New Paltz CROP Walk now held in October.
The 2008 CROP Walk had 150 "Walkers" and raised over $16,000. As with all CROP Walks, part of the donations stays in the local community; 25% of funds raised is given to Family of New Paltz.
Become part of our 37 year history; join us on our next walk scheduled October 18 2009. Go to our contact us page if you want more information emailed or mailed to you.