Barrington CROP Hunger Walk Grand Marshals Announced
The Barrington Area CROP Hunger Walk Committee is proud to announce that Paul and Adrienne Kalmes and Rich and Kathy Larson have been named Grand Marshals for the 34th anniversary of this event which raises funds for people in need in our communities and around the world. Both couples have walked in more than twenty-five CROP Hunger Walks. In the early years, that was a ten-mile walk! (Now there are two routes: a one mile and a five mile.)
Adrienne became involved in the CROP Walk shortly after moving to Barrington in 1972. Her mother, Jean McCarthy, was active in the Walk's early years. She and her siblings walked since their mom was on the committee. Paul has walked in all of the Walks. Their children have been in many walks, carried, pushed in a stroller, or zipping on roller blades. Adrienne is the oldest of ten children, so her mom "was forever feeding people." A plaque over their dining room table read: "Live simply so others can simply live." That was her mom's belief and they have tried to carry on that philosophy, raising awareness so others can eat.
Paul and Adrienne are co-chairs of the FaithJustice Group, which is an international outreach mission of St. Anne. The group has sponsored schools in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a clinic in Kenya, and an orphanage in Guatemala. They have been married for 35 years and have three children.
Rich and Kathy Larson and their two sons (8th and 4th grade at the time) moved to Barrington in 1984. Shortly after they joined The Presbyterian Church of Barrington, they heard about the Crop Walk and have been fortunate to be able to participate in it every year since. As Kathy says, "The Crop Walk is a very good way to help a number of people both local and international." They enjoy walking and meeting new people (the CROP Walk is perfect for this!), and are thankful for a very faithful group that sponsors them. Both Rich and Kathy sing in the church choir and have found several ways to be involved in the life of the church. Both of their sons are now married and Rich and Kathy enjoy their two grandchildren.
Twenty-five percent of all funds raised in Barrington stays in our area benefiting the Northern Illinois Food Bank; the FISH Food Pantry, Carpentersville; BACOA Meals With Wheels; Wauconda-Island Lake Food Pantry; Project HOPE; the People in Need program of the Barrington Area Ministerial Association; and Barrington Giving Day.
This year the Walk takes place throughout the Village of Barrington, beginning at St. Anne Catholic Community, 120 Ela St., Barrington, on Sunday, October 16. Registration begins at 12:30 p.m. and the Walk will begin at 1:00. Those interested in walking are welcome to register at the Walk or to learn more, check out the website, www.crophungerwalk.org/barringtonil, or contact chairperson Laura Cerretani, ldcerretani@gmail.com, or 847-842-9629. Visit and like the Barrington Area CROP Hunger Walk on Facebook, too!