Gene DuPell Memorial CROP Walk

Who was Gene?
Quoting from a letter I received from Roslyn and Dick Hughes of Clifton Park when they learned of Gene’s death, “Gene’s family was his pride and joy; he loved them and the grandkids so much. We remember Gene for his humor; he would break up over so many things. Rich used to ride off and on with him to GE (Waterford) and there were funny stories at work, too. He was a “good guy.” Ros and Dick’s daughter, Laura, remembered Gene “as such a nice person.”

I remember Gene as a good, loving, caring, funny, family man. He especially loved children. He loved hearing them talk and laugh. Wherever we went he would stop to admire a baby or child and talk to them. When we watched videos of the grandchildren in California or he was shown pictures of the kids he would always say “God love it.” Also, Gene proudly served his Country in the Navy in World War II surviving the Normandy Invasion. He enjoyed playing golf with his step-dad, Jim Kearns, and watching the NY Yankees on TV.

Gene's Connection to the CROP Walk
Gene and I never really discussed why he wanted to do the Crop Walk. We had participated in a Crop Walk in the Fall of 1991 or 1992. When I told Gene that I was going to walk in the 2005 Crop Walk, Gene stated he wanted to walk, too. Though he was able to walk, I tried to discourage him because I knew he probably would not get past the corner of Forest and Main Streets. Each time there was a Crop Walk announcement in church he would say he wanted to be in it. Then God put the idea of pushing Gene in a wheelchair in my head. I asked Gene if he would allow me to push him in a wheelchair and he agreed. We went to Pearl Street and back in 2005. In 2006 Michelle Leonard and another lady volunteered to help push Gene and he enjoyed every minute of it. The morning of the 2007 Crop Walk I called Eden Park (the nursing home) to remind them to give Gene his dinner early and have him ready for me by noon. The nurse told me he would not be going with me because he had low blood sugar and blood pressure. I went to the nursing home between church and the Crop Walk to check on him. When I got off the elevator, the nurse told me his blood sugar and blood pressure were back to normal and he wanted to go. We scrambled to get his dinner and find his “Honorary Team Captain” Crop Walk T-shirt which Tom and April had presented to him a few days earlier. When he arrived at the Crop Walk, he was wheeled up front and honored as a Special Person who showed the real reason we are all here. There was not a dry eye in the church. Michelle and Mason Leonard and an aide from Eden Park assisted Gene in the 2007 Crop Walk. I think Gene was proud to be in the Crop Walk knowing he was helping to provide food for those in need in his community and the world.

Gene’s participation in the May 6, 2007, Crop Walk was an amazing testament to his dedication, courage and determination. It was his final mission outreach to his community and the world. He went to live with Jesus in Heaven on May 22, 2007. His example will be an inspiration to everyone to want to participate in the Crop Walk. Gene was at a point in his life where he was unable to do the majority of the things he used to do before cancer and a stroke. It made Gene feel useful to be a part of the Crop Walk to help others.

Gene’s family and I are honored to have the Crop Walk renamed “The Gene DuPell Memorial Crop Walk.” Thank you for honoring Gene’s memory in this way. I know Gene is smiling down from Heaven and saying “God, love this Crop Walk.” Thank you for your dedication and hard work to make the Crop Walk happen. God bless you.

In Christ’s love, Joyce Huntley (written by Gene's Fiancée)

This is a a very nice tribute to my father. I can recall dad saying that he wish he was a millionaire so he could help all the children of the world. He spoke of this often. --- David DuPell

Using the same route as last year.

Changing location of IBS Porta-Johns

Summit & Rte 4 AND Oak & John St



BLUE=1-MILE; RED=4-MILE; GREEN&RED=6-MILE WALK!!!



*** PRINTABLE MAP at the end of this website.



Color Maps available on Walk Day, too!

Below are a few highlights from last year's Crop Walk. Over 200 walkers participated raising $$$$ total to fight against hunger locally and around the world.

SUCCESSFUL CROP WALK
On Sunday, May 2, 2010, over 200 walkers gathered at the Hudson Falls United Methodist Church, host of the Gene DuPell Memorial Crop Walk. This year's event raised over $47,000 to help STOP HUNGER both locally and world-wide. One of the FUNdraising event is the KISS-a-LLAMA challenge. Below is a photo of "Wild Bill" Albrecht (right) kissing Dusty the Llama. Tom Albrecht (left) was picked by Bill to kiss the llama, too!

Our thanks to all involved in this year's walk. Want to participate next year? JOIN OUR MAILING LIST by sending an email to genedupellcropwalk@yahoo.com

Accepting SECURE ONLINE DONATIONS through 7/31/10.
Visit www.ChurchWorldService.org/CROP or click on the link below to connect with the Hudson Falls CROP Walk page at CWS:

The committee is accepting gift baskets and dessert donations for the upcoming Dessert Basket Social, April 9th. Please see poster below for more information.