Collingswood New Jersey - Running The Country

Before David and I ran through Collingswood, New Jersey, it was just another town like the hundreds of other towns we ran through as we traversed the USA.

Or so we thought.

But now that we’ve finished our six month, 3000 mile run, Collingswood stands out in a remarkable way: Collingswood is the birthplace of GMO Free NJ. And from what we’ve seen, Barbara Thomas planted and nourished the initial seeds that grew into New Jersey’s vibrant, grass roots GMO Free movement.

While David and I were busy running across hilly Pennsylvania, Barbara was busy planning an event for our arrival in Collingswood. The Big Day started out with a GMO Free event in Philadelphia’s Independence Square, an event that I will always cherish. Of course, Barbara was present in Philly showing her support.

Following that event, David and I made our way across the Ben Franklin Bridge, accompanied for the first time since we started our run on January 18th in Huntington Beach, California, by two friends and photographers running by our sides documenting the day’s run: Kris’ sister, Julie, shot stills with her camera, and Karl Stark, son of Karen and Ron Stark, with GMO Free PA, shot video with the Go Pro.

Camden is the first town on the Jersey side of the bridge and it has a lot of character. Some people will view my use of the world ‘character’ as a euphemism for crime and poverty. No doubt, those things are present, but it’s also got large artistic murals that celebrate the beauty of the local people—many of whom we talked with as they were seated on porch chairs, enjoying the scenery and cooling themselves outside of their un-air conditioned apartments.

One man, in particular, stands out in Camden. When we handed him a GMO Free USA seed packet, it was as if we lit a fire under him. He talked at length about the evils of the GMO Empire. He said he’s opening a restaurant in Camden and he’s going to do his best to prepare GMO Free meals for his customers.

After Camden we only had a few more miles before arriving in Collingswood. Kris called me and said a crowd had gathered and they were anxious to meet us. When we finally ran down the sidewalk approaching the library, the crowd cheered, whistled, and clapped. Once the initial greetings were done, we assembled on the steps of the library.

Commissioner Joan Leonard praised us for our run and mission, and then she presented us with a small clock, modeled after the same design as the clock on the street. She also gave us a check donated by a local bank. Needless to say, I found the moment to be extremely validating.

Only our run launch back in California compares with a similar level of enthusiasm and support. What made this event even more special was the fact that Commissioner Leonard was acting in the capacity as Commissioner during the event. Her courage served as a symbol for all the government leaders across the U.S.A. that are beginning to stand up and serve their constituents by working for GMO labeling and GMO free zones.

Barbara continues to be one of our biggest supporters, something we deeply appreciate. But I want to repeat today what I said in Collingswood. We are running on the backs of the GMO Free leaders who have been advocating for clean, healthy, and natural food for decades.

If our run has any significance at all, it is significant because of the great and challenging work many other people have done prior to our run, during our run, and continue to do now that our run has ended.

That said, when we ran through Collingswood, there was a special synergy present. We are honored for the part we were able to play at that synergy, and we are deeply grateful for the people of New Jersey (and Pennsylvania) who worked so hard to make it possible.

GMO free blessings to all!

Brett and David Wilcox completed their transcon 3,000 mile Run For a GMO Free USA on July 19, 2014. Their run expenses far exceed donations received. You can help change that fact by making a donation of any amount through their Indiegogo campaign fundraiser.

A father and son clock 3,000 miles from California to draw attension to GMOs. The final goal: Ocean City.

By Clark Mindock, Inquirer Staff Writer
POSTED: July 19, 2014

Source: http://articles.philly.com/2014-07-19/news/51714755_1_gmo-labeling-navajo-nation-ocean-city

David Wilcox, 15, thinks he’s gone through at least six pairs of shoes since January, when he and his father left the Los Angeles area. He and father Brett will finish the trip in Ocean City. (CLARK MINDOCK / Staff)

In his sixth – or perhaps seventh – pair of running shoes this year, David Wilcox, 15, ran from the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia to downtown Collingswood. His father, Brett, his aunt, Julie Stuehser, and the family dog, Jenna, ran along with him.

Since January, David and Brett Wilcox have been running across the country, 20 miles a day, to promote awareness of genetically modified organisms and mandatory GMO labeling on products.

The journey started in a Los Angeles suburb; the goal is to reach Ocean City, N.J., which could be accomplished in days. As they jog through neighborhoods and encounter passersby, the father-and-son team hands out seeds and hopes the message will germinate.

“I’ve been phrasing him as the modern-day Johnny Appleseed,” said Karen Stark, cofounder of the group GMO Free Pennsylvania.

Coming off the Ben Franklin Bridge, David and Brett ran through the streets of Camden. They talked with people out on their porches Thursday afternoon, inquiring about their food choices and what they knew about GMOs.

Waiting in downtown Collingswood with a dozen supporters of GMO labeling was Kris Wilcox, David’s mother. She prepared a camera and microphone setup to record the small ceremony that would take place once the runners arrived.

Kris and Olivia, David’s little sister, have been making the trip as well, tasked with finding the next spot to park their trailer – pulled by a 1998 Ford F50 they bought for $4,900 with 109,000 miles on the odometer. They’ve added about 3,000 more as they’ve made their way to Ocean City.

“I think they’ve stopped to talk to a few people,” she said, peering down Haddon Avenue, wondering where they were. As a runner approached, the cheers increased, but it was a false alarm – just another jogger.

Along the way, Kris has been faced head on with the message they’re trying to address. When looking for food, it’s hard to find what they want to keep their family healthy – GMOs are ubiquitous. Passing through northern Arizona and New Mexico, they simply stopped buying corn tortillas. Their time going through the Navajo Nation was their one reprieve; they took a chance on Navajo cornmeal.

Brett Wilcox is a mental-health therapist who quit his job for the cross-country run. To fund the effort, they’ve rented their house in Sitka, Alaska, and started an Indiegogo campaign. Brett also wrote a book, We’re Monsanto: Feeding the World, Lie After Lie. They accept donations at runningthecountry.com.

GMOs have been scrutinized recently as more consumers raise concerns that the foods are harmful to people. GMO Free Pennsylvania and GMO Free New Jersey are two groups working to influence state legislators to require GMO labeling on food packaging. They also hold rallies to raise awareness.

One modification often cited by GMO opponents makes plants resistant to herbicides, allowing farmers to spray the herbicide liberally to kill weeds. The action breeds “super weeds,” which require even more treatment of the crops.

Monsanto, the world’s leading producer of genetically modified seeds and herbicides, says on its website that genetically altered foods are necessary to meet increasing food demand globally. The website adds that engineered scientific advances have been at the front of historic human advancement.

In New Jersey, efforts to pass legislation that would require GMO foods to be labeled as such are “stalled in committee,” according to Barbara Thomas, cofounder of GMO Free New Jersey. The legislation has popular support, she said, but has been met with difficulties from individual lawmakers.

Back in Collingswood on Thursday, the father and son came into sight. They are almost at the end of their journey – one partially inspired by David’s desire to one-up a 17-year-old girl who had run across the country.

The Wilcox family brought a father’s passion for GMO advocacy together with a son’s passion for competition and long-distance running.

“We ran 3,000 miles for this!” Brett Wilcox said, thrusting his arms into the air victoriously as they reached the crowd. “Yes! Somebody cares!”

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Tag: Collingswood New Jersey

GMO Free Event in Collingswood, New Jersey

Cross-country cause: Food labels