16 Years of Walking With a Purpose

OCEAN GROVE, NJ – Marcus Tullius Cicero (106 – 43 B.C.) said, "We were born to unite with our fellowmen, and to join in community with the human race." Centuries later, life is still filled with challenges, but when communities join together to meet them for mutual purposes, they seem easy to accomplish.

Since 1995 the United Methodist Homes has held an annual charity event in Ocean Grove for a purpose—the 16th annual Nancy Gilbert Rhodes Walk for All Ages raised more than $50,000 to benefit the Homes' Fellowship Fund. It brought together families, churches and friends of all ages in a day of community and celebration. Business sponsors contributed over $25,000, including Luncheon Partners Pike Construction Co. and The Weston Group, and Starting Line Partners Hawks & Company and Partner's Pharmacy. An estimated 250 participants donated another $25,000 and counting.

Proceeds from the Walk continue to benefit their Fellowship Fund, which lends invaluable security to Homes' residents who have outlived their financial resources. Walkers personally contribute and/or raise funds from others and form teams. Many walk because of the care a grandfather, uncle, mother or other family member currently receives or because of a past experience.

The Homes has kept this promise since its founding in 1907. During the one-hour registration period, members of the Great Auditorium Choir led by Dr. Jason Tramm sang several hymns. Also, the Ocean Grove Historical Society led two tours through the historic tent neighborhood. Youth engaged in face painting and games.

Resonating sounds of bagpiper David Cohen signaled the walk's start from Ocean Pathway. Walk marshals Rev. Scott Hoffman and Nancy Hoffman, chief administrative officers of the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association and Homes' President James C. Batten led the throng along the route, which ended at Francis Asbury Manor on Stockton Avenue. Walkers and guests of every generation enjoyed lunch, entertainment by strolling magician Mark Wurst; Vanity Fair, a female quartet; Lee Howard Stevens' summer marimba workshop musicians; Lippy the Clown; and more games.

Last year President James C. Batten designated the event, the Nancy Gilbert Rhodes Walk for All Ages in honor of Rhodes, then "head cheerleader" and member of the Absecon United Methodist Church. While she raised more money than any other group for many consecutive years, Rhodes is now a resident at the Homes' Ocean City community, The Shores at Wesley Manor. Last year, the Nancy Gilbert Rhodes Trophy, a traveling award, went to the Absecon United Methodist Church, led by a team of three women following in Rhodes' footsteps.

This year the Nancy Gilbert Rhodes Trophy was awarded to The Shores at Wesley Manor, which raised a whopping $8,348. As the top fundraiser, they will keep the trophy for one year and pass it on to the 2011 winner. Second, third and fourth place prizes went to the "Volunteer Work Crew" of Island Heights United Methodist Church, Absecon United Methodist Church and Francis Asbury Manor.

Youth team prizes, added this year for the first time, resulted in greater young adult participation. The youth team from Smithville United Methodist Church took the top prize of free registration for the annual United Methodist Youth Weekend in Ocean City, New Jersey. The Bradley Beach United Methodist Church youth team won concert tickets for a Saturday night show at the Great Auditorium and Lacey Township United Methodist Church's team was rewarded with tickets to a BlueClaws' baseball game.