Pounding the pavement for good

Pounding the pavement for good at 9^th annual Walk for Warmth

News contact: Laura Hancock, University Advancement, 541-962-3585

LA GRANDE, Ore. February 1, 2017 – A fundraising event for Union County families experiencing home heating emergencies invites you to “move your feet to give others heat” Saturday, Feb. 11.

Registration for the 9^th annual Walk for Warmth starts at 10 a.m. for runners and 10:30 a.m. for walkers at the Union County Senior Center at 1504 Albany Street.

Timed 10K and 5K runs kick-off at 10:30 and 11 a.m. Walkers are welcome anytime from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and a group walk starts at 11.

Complimentary lunch will be served beginning at 11:30 a.m. with live music, a silent auction and raffle drawings throughout the morning. Raffle tickets are $5 each and just 200 will be sold. Included in the raffle is a handmade quilt donated by Ellen Krieger or a metal sculpture created by Wayne Arnson.

Members of the Mission for Environmental and Social Awareness Club (MESA) at Eastern Oregon University have been involved with the event since it started locally in 2009.

This year students in Jennifer Puentes’ Sociology of Families class are going the extra mile, getting volunteers signed up and reaching out to area businesses and organizations to become sponsors.

“They are gaining great experience working with nonprofits and connecting with the community,” said Puentes, an assistant professor of sociology at EOU.

Bill Grigsby, associate professor of sociology, is the MESA club advisor. He and Puentes coordinate closely with others like Sherry Mendoza, a longtime veteran organizer for the Walk for Warmth who represents many of the community partners.

Community Connection disburses funds raised in the form of vouchers, which qualified renters and homeowners can use to cover heating utility bills. The money can also be used for heating emergencies, like purchasing firewood or replacing a broken water heater.

Another component of Walk for Warmth is the “Eating is Heating” campaign, which allocates 10 percent of total donations for low income seniors through Meals on Wheels.

For raffle ticket information, registration and pledge forms visit unioncountyw4w.wordpress.com and follow the Union County Walk for Warmth on Facebook for updates.