Walk for Warmth helps families in need

EOU & community gearing up for Walk for Warmth, Feb. 18

News Contact: Laura Hancock | University Advancement
541-962-3585 | lhancock@eou.edu

Source contact: Rosemary Powers
541-962-3819 | rpowers@eou.edu

EOU photo by Arianna Jones / Members of the Alliance for Social Change at EOU support this annual event.

February 6, 2012
LA GRANDE, Ore. (EOU) – A major fundraising event to help cover winter heating expenses for Union County families experiencing economic challenges is right around the corner.

The annual Walk for Warmth will take place Saturday, Feb. 18. Registration opens at 10 a.m. at the Maridell Center at 1124 Washington Ave.

The Alliance for Social Change and C.U.R.R.E.N.T.S of Justice for Peace, with support from the Grande Ronde Road Runners, are organizing the event.

Walkers may commit to a distance of one to three-miles or join the Road Runners for a six-mile jog. Walking indoors at the center is also encouraged. A complimentary hot lunch will be provided at 12 p.m.

The Alliance for Social Change is the Anthropology/Sociology Club at EOU. Their support of Walk for Warmth began with the inaugural event in 2009, and this year more members of the university community are getting involved.

As part of the fundraiser, the Alliance for Social Change is selling $5 raffle tickets for a queen-size, handmade quilt donated by Ellen Krieger.

EOU’s faculty union made the first pledge of $3,000, and Ellen Krieger, retired co-director of Academic and Career Advising, donated a handmade quilt to be raffled off.

Rosemary Powers, professor of sociology and adviser to the Alliance for Social Change knows the money raised through Walk for Warmth makes a difference in the lives of Union County families.

“This short walk/run in the winter cold reminds us of how much we may take warm homes for granted,” Powers said. “We invite individuals, clubs, church groups and businesses to join us as we ‘move our feet to give others heat.’”

Prizes for individuals and teams gathering the highest total dollar amount in pledges include an iPod touch, passes to the Pendleton Skate City Roller Rink and pizza party, and a vacation package for the Montello Lookout in Hood River.

Pledge forms are available to download from the Walk for Warmth website at http://w4wno.drupalgardens.com. For more information contact Powers at 541-962-3819 or e-mail rpowers@eou.edu.