Remembering Rev. Dr. David P. Muyskens Founding Spirit and Organizer of Red Bank CROP Walk

Rev. Dr. David P. Muyskens passed away on Dec. 21, 2013 at age of 83 in Sparta New Jersey. He is survived by his wife Ann and his three children. He was the father of Kirsten Schanck a current Red Bank CROP Walk committee member. We remember Rev. Muyskens as one of the earliest organizers for CROP in the Monmouth County Area. Along with a few others he organized a "CROP" beach cleanup and raised over $3,000 in 1979 to help fight hunger and poverty. In 1980 he helped to organize a volley-ball-a-thon to raise money for CROP and Church World Service. These efforts created awareness and our first official CROP Walk stepped in 1981. 

Eight years ago we celebrated 25 years of Red Bank CROP Walk with Dave Muyskens. He was happy to see the growth of the hunger walk and the support we have given to local programs that assist people to feed themselves. In 2005 we raised over $125,000 and were supporting 15 local partner programs. 

We'd like to share the following quote from the Monmouth Presbytery: Jan. 6, 2014.

 "David was born in India in 1930 to missionary parents. He came to the U.S. at age 17 to attend Hope College in Holland, MI. He attended Princeton Seminary and earned Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees. During 40 years of ministry, he served three Presbyterian Churches in New Jersey (South Amboy, Hightstown, and Shrewsbury) and United Church in Fayetteville, NY. Growing up in India during the struggloe for independence under Gandhi's leadership contributed to a lifelong passion for peace and justice. He became active in the civit rights movement, mobilizing the local community and aparticipating in protest marches. He organized CROP walks to raise money to fight world hunger and seraved on the National Board of CROP. In several Presbyteries he headed up the Peacemaking Committee. The Muyskens received numerous citations from the community and church for their efforts to combat hunger and poverty and to work for peace and justice. David was a natural athlete who loved tennis, cycling, and skiing, and represented New Jersey in the Naitonal Senior Olympics.


Donations may be sen to Church World Service, P.O.  Box 968 Elkhart, IN 46515

* A Challenge Well Met * 2013 Red Bank CROP Hunger Walk

One year ago Super Storm Sandy hit the east coast. To say it has been a challenging year is to put it mildly. Individuals, community, government and faith groups have all chipped in to help in the recovery and rebuilding process after so much destruction and displacement of people. We've all donated time & money to make the recovery and rebuilding efforts possible for our local communities. 

Our coordinating committee knew from the start that all of this would have an impact on the funds raised for this year's 33rd Walk but they didn't let it deter them from their efforts to raise funds needed to provide "long term support" for our local and global partners. Our past CROP Walks have made possible the Church World Service disaster response to Super Storm Sandy. Over $1.3 million dollars has been focused on this region, so we thank everyone for their loyal and steadfast support over the past three decades that we have been walking. CROP Walks make it possible for CWS to continue responding to hunger, disasters, and displacement of people.

20 dedicated members of our Red Bank CROP Coordinating Committee gathered one month after the Oct. 20th walk to enjoy dessert and to evaluate the "Walk Day Results". Some excellent stats came out. This year another record amount of 14,000 lbs of food was distributed to 25 local pantries with lots of volunteer help from Rumson County Day School and Christian Brothers Academy. The huge inter-generational crowd included, churches, schools,and civic groups. Some new friends: Trinity Hall, the Cornell Club, Community Church of Keyport, the Faith Reformed Church in Hazlet, the Korean Presbyterian Church and MAX Fitness joined in the effort to feed hungry neighbors. The runners and walkers were piped out on the start of the walk by a talented CBA Bagpipe Band in colorful kilts. It was a  beautiful day with brilliant colors, tributes to friends and memorials, with superb art from many young artists, depicting "A Place at the Table for Everyone". 

Donations continue to come in as recruiters check with donors. We are currently over $101,000 in funds showing continued belief in the work we can accomplish through CROP Hunger Walks. Our Red Bank CROP Walk has raised over $100,000 annually the past 14 years since we ushered in the new millennium. The new century has presented us with challenges to provide help for hungry neighbors, but it also has shown us that no matter how difficult things may seem we rise to the challenges before us to help our neighbors whoever they are and wherever they live. We walk to provide food for the hungry and to give them the tools they need to provide for a better future for their families. 

As you gather with your family and friends this Thanksgiving we thank you for helping to make a place at the table for everyone.

  

Church World Service Ready to Assist the People of the Philippines

You can read more about CWS and their ability to help in
response to Typhoon Haiyann or make an immediate DONATION directly to Church World Service Global for disaster relief and assistance for people in the Philippines by clicking on one of these links: 

You can read updates on Church World Service response. 

CWS Global website information on Typhoon Haiyann.

CROP Walks help to fight hunger locally, nationally and internationally but also provide funds to help in disaster relief. The Jersey Shore saw large sums of money, goods and services come back to our region after Super Storm Sandy. Non-governmental agencies like CWS work in partnership with global partner programs like ACT Alliance; to respond to disasters such as Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.

To make an immediate DONATION CLICK HERE.