2009 Cross-Walk planned Saturday
The Friends of the Cross organization is hoping for a big turnout at this weekend's second annual Restoration Cross-Walk.
The Cross-Walk is planned Saturday, June 13, in the Alto Pass area.
The event begins at 8 a.m. and is a benefit fundraiser for the landmark Cross of Peace, located atop Bald Knob Mountain near Alto Pass.
Friends of the Cross was organized in 2007 for the sole purpose of raising funds for the restoration of the Cross of Peace.
The organization set a goal of raising $300,000 by June 30, 2010.
The goal meant that the organization would have to raise $100,000 a year over a three-year period.
So far, some $170,000 has been raised.
Friends of the Cross president Bill Vandergraph of Alto Pass said the organization thinks the public's continued support for the project and participation in this year's Cross-Walk will keep the organization on schedule in its fund raising efforts.
Vandergraph is hoping for big numbers at Saturday's event.
"We'd like to see a thousand" people participate, he said. Last year, about 500 people came to Alto Pass to show support for the Cross-Walk. About 350 of those people took part in the walk.
"It was very successful," Vandergraph said.
The schedule for the 2009 Cross-Walk is basically the same as last year's.
School buses furnished by Wrightway Student Transportation of Cobden will be loading walkers beginning at around 9 a.m. June 13 at the pavilion in downtown Alto Pass.
The buses will take people to one of four starting points for the walk: the 5-mile marker, the 2 1/2-mile marker, the 1-mile marker and the 1/4-mile marker.
The Union County Sheriff's Department is scheduled to be on hand to monitor traffic on Bald Knob Road during the walk, and to provide assistance as needed.
The Union County Ambulance Service also is scheduled to be present to provide assistance if needed.
Free water will be available to the walkers at each starting point.
Wayne "Ren" Sirles of Rendleman Orchards near Alto Pass will be providing a "porta-potty on wheels" for the walkers.
Entertainment by the Little Egypt Barbershop Quartet and the Reeds Family Gospel Singers will be presented during the morning.
The Alto Pass Fire Department is planning to serve a chicken and dumpling dinner.
For more information about the Cross-Walk, or other meetings and projects of the Friends of the Cross organization, visit the website at <a href="http://www.friendsofbaldknobcross.com">www.friendsofbaldknobcross.com</a> or call Debbie Nash, 893-2612, Ruby Lingle, 893-2314, or Bill Vangergraph, 697-2848.