75 Mile Walk to Support Growing Hope Globally. Co-founders raise funds to engage the next generation in growing lasting solutions to hunger FREMONT, MICH.-- Bev Abma and Ron DeWeerd will be walking 75 miles throughout West Michigan to raise support for Growing Hope Globally, an organization both were involved in founding in 1999. The walk will begin with a send-off at First Reformed Church in Fremont on Aug. 11 and will culminate with Dairy Day at Nutrien Ag Solutions in Wayland on Aug. 21. The public is invited to join the walkers or participate in one of the events being planned along the way. Growing Hope Globally works with U.S. communities, giving them the opportunity to respond to global hunger from right where they live. Through a unique Growing Project model, communities come together around the common cause of hunger. Farmers grow crops while businesses, churches and individuals cover the input and land costs. When the crops are sold, the profits are used to support agricultural development programs around the world, giving those struggling with hunger the dignity of being able to provide for themselves. Abma and DeWeerd have used their gifts alongside many others to build Growing Hope Globally into an organization with supporters across the U.S. and agricultural development programs around the world that have reached more than 2.1 million people, helping them to find lasting solutions to hunger. DeWeerd will be retiring from the organization later this year after 22 years of service. He is passionate about inviting the next generation to make a lasting difference. He has been instrumental in developing Growing Hope Globally’s resources and curriculum for FFA. He has also worked with several FFA chapters to start Growing Projects in their communities. Abma retired from Growing Hope Globally in 2013, but continues as a Board Director Emerita and Growing Project leader in Byron Center, Michigan. “God has blessed me with excellent health at the age of 75, the last 25 of those cancer free. To celebrate, I will walk 75 miles in God’s glorious outdoors with a purpose”, said Abma, “As this year marks Ron De Weerd’s retirement it is fitting that after working so many years together, we now walk together to raise funds for future generations who will carry on the mission and vision of Growing Hope Globally.”
The walk will raise support for a new fund established in honor of DeWeerd’s retirement to encourage the next generation to use their gifts. “I want the next generation to experience the incredible feeling of being part of the solution to hunger”, said DeWeerd, “I believe that young people intuitively know that efforts to meet immediate needs are not a lasting solution, and often lead to even greater dependence. That is why I am excited to walk and challenge everyone to help us as we celebrate the creation of the Next Generation fund, providing incentives for young people, particularly FFA, to become involved in supporting lasting solutions to hunger.” To donate to this fund, visit give.growinghopeglobally.org/Next-Generation. Generous donors are matching all gifts up to $38,000. The walk will begin in the same spot in Fremont, Michigan where DeWeerd helped to establish the state’s first Growing Project in 2000, and end at the Byron Center Growing Project’s Dairy Day event, which Abma helped to plan. The public is encouraged to attend these events and several others are being planned along the way. If you would like to plan an additional event as part of the walk, please contact Bev Abma. Events Send-Off
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