Walk for Warmth

Organizers of this year’s Community Action Walk for Warmth ask simple questions in these hard times: “What if you had to choose between heating your home and buying groceries? What would you do?”

Community Action hears from several people every day who are asking that same question. With the help of generous donors, Community Action’s Annual Walk for Warmth makes it possible for low income, elderly, and disabled families and individuals to stay warm during the cold winter months through its emergency utility assistance program. In 2008, Community Action’s Walk for Warmth Campaign donations in St. Joseph County assisted 46 local households with emergency utility assistance, keeping their heat from being turned off.

This year marks the 25th Annual Walk for Warmth, and, more than ever, Community Action needs sponsors and participants to help keep area families warm. The event, scheduled for Saturday, February 27th, will start at the St. Joseph County Grange Fairgrounds in Centreville with the goal of raising $18,000 in the county. Walk for Warmth sponsors and participants will make this goal a reality. For every $3,000 raised, Community Action will be able to help at least 10 local families to keep their utilities on during the winter months.

Lindsey Terbrack, Community Action Marketing Manager says, “We encourage St. Joseph County residents to join us in celebrating 25 years of Walk for Warmth utility assistance efforts! It may be cold outside, but it’s a fun way to help the community!”

Businesses can sponsor the Walk for Warmth in one of two ways: through a monetary donation, or donating goods or services towards participant door prizes. Participants can help by forming a team, recruiting friends and coworkers, collecting pledges, and walking in the February 27th event.

For more information, visit the Community Action website at www.caascm.org/walkforwarmth.htm or contact Nancy Johnson, Community Resource Manager, at (269) 467-4506.

With local residents’ help, everyone in the St. Joseph County area will feel warmer this winter!