Walk for Warmth held Saturday

Saturday (February 27th) brought the 25th annual “Walk for Warmth” to the St. Joseph County Grange Fairgrounds in Centreville as Community Action staged this year’s event which raises funds to help low-income, elderly and disabled residents who have fallen on hard times stay warm during the winter.

Twenty-seven persons – led by Nancy Johnson, Community Resource Manager for Community Action in St. Joseph County, and County Commissioner Rick Shaffer – set off on their fairgrounds trek around 9:30 a.m. following opening ceremonies in which Shaffer was the featured speaker.

Shaffer, who also serves on Community Action board, began his remarks with a hearty, “Good morning, Walk for Warmth Team!” He said, “The reason I emphasize ‘team’ is that we truly are a ‘team,’ helping our friends and neighbors, right here in St. Joseph County. That’s what makes the Walk for Warmth such a wonderful program because it’s a program where we absolutely help our families that are in need.”

Shaffer noted the importance of the small donations collected by those involved in the Walk for Warmth project, especially now when funds are “so very tight.” He also singled out Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 106 of St. Joseph County for its support of the program, and said, “We’re going to meet our goal, or come close.” The FOP presented a check for $3,000 to the Walk for Warmth campaign January 14th.

St. Joseph County assisted 46 households, or 125 family members with their utility bills through Walk for Warmth donations Community Action received during the 2009 campaign.

Johnson said her goal this year is $20,000.

According to Johnson, “Support of our community is very vital to our families. With the economy sliding, and the cold harsh winter we have had, we are seeing demand for our services going up. We are seeing a new set of clients that have never had to ask for assistance before coming to our door. The donations we receive today will greatly increase our ability to help our local families.”

Nancy Macfarlane, CEO of Community Action, said, “We are so grateful for how this community comes together to support the Walk for Warmth. Their contributions each year ensure that Community Action can help many more families and homes.”

Community Action is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) human service organization that serves low- to moderate- income, elderly, and disabled residents of Barry, Branch, Calhoun and St. Joseph counties. The agency is dedicated to promoting economic and social opportunities that help people achieve greater independence, dignity and self-sufficiency.