Naperville CROP Walk Pioneer Brings Cause to Monarch Landing

32 years ago, Duane Mevis helped the Naperville Area CROP Walk take its very first steps. Currently a resident of Monarch Landing, a senior living community in Naperville, Duane and others concerned about the plight of world hunger organized the event that raised approximately $12,000 in its first year and, more than three decades later, has garnered nearly $1.3 million. “I have been passionate about hunger for a long time,” said Duane, who has been interested in the cause since farmers were sending their crops overseas to feed hungry families during the WWII era. “Poor people walk not for exercise, but for the basic needs of life, like water, food, education, and medical treatment.” Explaining that the Naperville CROP Walk is five kilometers because that is roughly the distance impoverished people walk for these necessities, Duane said, “It is good to see so many who have something to give so willing to share it.”

For Duane and other Monarch Landing residents, the walking wasn’t limited to the Naperville CROP event. A few days prior to the October 19 city-wide walk, he and 21 other residents, plus 18 students from St. Irene Catholic School in Warrenville, walked around the Monarch Landing campus for a length of one mile or a two-mile trek extending onto the nearby Prairie Path. “Just as I did with the Naperville CROP Walk all those years ago, I ran the idea up the pole at Monarch Landing for a walk of our own. We have such active, good-hearted people at Monarch Landing, it just seemed like the logical thing to do.”

The Monarch Landing CROP Walk has raised over $13,000 since it was established by Duane and a team of residents, with staff support, three years ago. Duane and his wife, Carol, each raised $1,000 toward this year’s goal of $10,000. Residents are encouraged to walk, contribute funds, or sponsor a walker. Proceeds are donated to the Naperville CROP effort. This year, the addition of the students from St. Irene’s (organized by Monarch Landing fitness specialist Shannon Denny) was a real boon, in both strength in numbers and intergenerational contact.

“We had such a good time together, talking and sharing about our lives,” Duane said. “When one of the kids saw [the Monarch Landing] swimming pool, she said, ‘We should have a swim party with you!’.” While he chuckles at the idea, Duane is no stranger to physical activity. When he’s not organizing and walking in the fight against hunger, the former United Methodist pastor takes part in Monarch Landing’s bicycle club, water volleyball, and a book study group. He is also an ambassador for new and prospective residents, a member of the community’s ministry council and on the partnership committee with North Central College, where he went to seminary. Drawn to Monarch Landing even before it was built because of its location in Naperville, where he and Carol lived for over 30 years, the couple moved to Monarch Landing three years ago. “The time was right to make the transition. We had a nine-room house, and we were living in three rooms,” Duane said. “And there are so many things to do and so many ways to stay active here; it was the right choice for us.”

Monarch Landing is a continuing care retirement community located on a scenic campus in Naperville, Illinois-named “one of America’s best places to live and retire” by Modern Maturity, and “the best city for early retirement” by Kiplinger. Monarch Landing currently offers independent living, promoting a vibrant life style for active seniors. The Springs at Monarch Landing offers assisted living memory support and will soon offer rehabilitation and skilled nursing services, thus providing complete continuing care for seniors. Monarch Landing is owned by Senior Care Development and managed by Life Care Services. For additional information visit www.WelcomeToMonarchLanding.com or call 630-548-0400.